Florida 4-H Hall of Fame

C.M. Hampson

Professor C. M. Hampson was the original source of program development in the Florida Cooperative Extension Service. His ideas and thinking were used throughout most of Florida=s extension programs. As a professor of Extension Education at the University of Florida he was patient, understanding, observant, ready and willing to teach what was needed. Hampson=s knowledge of what 4-H was, coupled with his vision of what 4-H could become, made him the ideal "Go Between" in planning the future of the 4-H program. During his career Hampson served, at one time, as the only professor at the University of Florida teaching classes that related to the Cooperative Extension Service. He taught academic classes as well as making his nights and weekends available to county extension programs conducting workshops for youth and adults. His workshops used everyday problems as examples. Many early extension personnel benefitted from his "Extension Methods" course. Hampson was truly a visionary who kept the program nestled in the solid fertile educational roots that would ensure its future. According to B. J. Allen, "4-H was Professor Hampson's pride and joy." Professor Hampson also served on numerous graduate degree committees and was an excellent mentor to many extension agents who went on to work with 4-H.