The International Farm Youth Exchange (IFYE) was founded in 1948 by the National 4-H Foundation after World War II to promote greater international understanding and cooperation. The first two-way exchange took place in 1948, with seventeen young Americans traveling to seven different countries in Western Europe and six Europeans traveling to the United States to live with host families for six months. It was this exchange that led to the development of IFYE. The program was funded in the United States by the National 4-H Foundation and later by the National 4-H Council. In 1973, IFYE changed its name to International Four-H Youth Exchange. In 1992, the National 4-H Council decided it would only fund programs for young people under the age of 19, which resulted in the loss of 4-H funding for IFYE. Individual states were able to continue conducting the exchange programs directly with other countries, if the state would provide the funding. In 1999, the IFYE Association took on the responsibility of funding the IFYE program. In 2012, the IFYE Association changed its name to IFYE Association of the USA, Inc., which continues to support the exchange program.



The program has been a three to six month exchange program with a vision of promoting "Peace Through Understanding." 4-H alumni and other young adults interested in a rural living experience who participate in the international exchange program live with a host family in another country and take part in the family's daily activities.