School-age youth will be showing their project animals at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center during University of Nevada Cooperative Extension's Washoe County 4-H Livestock Show, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., May 5. This annual family-friendly event gives 4-H youth the chance to show the livestock animals they have been raising, win ribbons and get valuable advice from livestock professionals. The Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center is located at 1350 N. Wells Ave. in Reno.

"This event provides a chance for the public to see first-hand how animals are raised to market," said Washoe County 4-H Youth Development Program Manager Sarah Chvilicek. "It also helps the kids fine-tune their decision-making, leadership and public-speaking skills. In addition, the preparation for the event improves the students' knowledge and understanding of animal production, stewardship, quality assurance, food safety and prevention of disease progression and transfer."

Participating youth have spent months raising, grooming and training their market animals. In the process, they learned animal husbandry and became familiar with livestock industry practices. To show the results of what they learned, they will be competing in categories for steers, sheep, swine, dairy goats and market goats. The event will also feature showmanship presentations and 4-H displays. The blue and red ribbon winning students in each category will move on to the Nevada Junior Livestock Show, May 8-12, in Reno, where they will compete against other youth, including other 4-H members, members of FFA and members of Grange Youth.

Nevada 4‑H Youth Development is a program of University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. All 4-H programs engage youth in experiential, or "hands-on," learning; teach citizenship, leadership and life skills, and are fueled by university-backed curriculum. Participants also receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles. The 4-H Program is offered across the country through in-school and after-school programs, school and community clubs, and 4‑H camps.