LOVELOCK - Joe Crim Jr. is in his 26th year as a Pershing County 4-H leader.
Born and raised in Arkansas, Joe moved to Lovelock, Nev., in 1984. Like many outstanding 4-H leaders, Joe started as a 4-H member. He joined the Pershing County 4-H Rock Climbing Club while in high school.
Joe and others took the lead to transform the rock climbing club into the YCATs club (Youth Challenge Adventure Team). It expanded to include white water rafting, mountain climbing, ballooning, spelunking and camping as well as nutrition and safety.
The program became a non-formal teaching club which included communication, self-discipline, self-esteem building and leadership skills through high risk activities. It emphasized safety using double checks and redundancy in all activities as well as a formalized appointed safety ground officer.
The networking and friendships went beyond the members to include the parents too. YCATS exemplifies Joe's enjoyment of outdoor activities and the camaraderie among people of all ages.
As an adult, it was only natural for Joe to become a 4-H leader in the YCATs club.
Joe has fond memories of his experiences at the Nevada 4-H Camp. Where better to enjoy the great outdoors than with a hundred other young enthusiastic 4-H members? YCATs incorporated many trust development activities into the camping program.
Joe has served as president of the Pershing County 4-H Leaders Council since 1989. As a member of the Pershing County 4-H Building Board, this year Joe was able to secure two badly needed heaters for the 4-H building. At Lovelock Frontier Days, Joe is the person who starts the fire and tends the coals and shreds the meat with the other men at serving time.
Joe is active in his community: serving as chair of the Pershing County Wildlife Management Advisory Board for the Nevada Wildlife Commission. Ducks Unlimited is another of Joe's passions. Joe is now in his second term on the Pershing County School Board and is Public Works Director for the city of Lovelock.
Joe has received the Pershing County Outstanding 4-H Leader and we are proud Joe is in the Nevada 4-H Hall of Fame.
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