Dave Pace’s journey began over 40 years ago as a rural Iowa 4-H member. As an IFYE to Uruguay, he was smitten by the value of exchange programs in the lives of young people. So he decided to devote his life and career to helping others have similar experiences “to learn another way of life by living it through a host family/host stay experience.” After 19 years of dedicated work, it was documented that Dave had involved nearly 3,800 participants from 86 countries in exchange programs from Japan, Norway and Russia. Likewise, over 1,000 MN youth and adults traveled to some 62 countries for home stay experiences and to assist in developing 4-H programs.
Dave has worked in 4-H positions in Iowa and Minnesota. He was a USDA National 4-H Fellow (1968-69) and a Program Assistant with National 4-H Council International Programs (1969-70). He established the MN 4-H-USSR Photography Exhibit in 1987-88, served on the ECOP 4-H International Program Curriculum & Training subcommittee and co-authored the “And My World” curriculum. Dave established Club 4-I in Romania and 4-B Club in Botswana. He coordinated a cultural exchange for eight states through partnerships with Russia, Australia, Norway and Finland. Dave truly believes that his purpose is to serve and enlarge the lives of others.
