Les Nichols has been called the ” Father of 4-H International Programs.’ A Cornell Honors Graduate, Massachusetts Agriculture Agent, and New York 4-H Agent, he joined the National 4-H Foundation” relatively new International Farm Youth Exchange (IFYE) staff to lead operations in Asia and Latin America. As the first Extension Agent drafted into the Army in New York, Les had experienced the devastation of war. He believed that if people knew and respected each other peace was possible! Why not, a 4-H two-way cultural exchange? Older 4-H members living with foreign families and foreign youth living with US host families? The first exchange occurred in 1948 with 17 U.S. 4-H members and six European delegates.
Les was instrumental in linking 4-H youth, host families and Extension to counterparts around the world. Over 4,000 exchanges have occurred with 116 countries and involved over 30,000 host families worldwide. As 4-H exchanges expanded, Les guided and helped build new programs to deliver technical assistance to fledging global 4-H-type programs as rural youth assumed a greater role in the economic development of their countries. At its peak, 103 such organizations in 82 countries on all continents existed. His leadership laid the foundation for 4-H global outreach around the world. Les is remembered affectionately by many IFYEs around the world as ” IFYE.” He retired from the 4-H Council after 40 years of service to 4-H International Programs.
