bg_mwif.jpgKid’s Day participation more than doubles

AUGUSTA – The Northeast Livestock Expo will celebrate its ninth year May 16-18 at the Windsor Fairgrounds in Windsor, Maine. Thanks to a Maine AG in the Classroom transportation grant, Kid’s Day (May 16) is expected to draw more than 1,300 K-6 students, more than double last year’s attendance. For three days, the Expo will showcase a variety of livestock. The public is welcome; there is no admission fee. 
“This is a great opportunity for kids to learn about Maine agriculture,” said Governor Paul R. LePage. “This and similar agricultural events this summer and fall highlight the connection between local farms, local products and consumers.”
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Walt Whitcomb highlighted the Expo’s educational component. “The Northeast Livestock Expos will be even better this year. After adding our first Kid’s Day last year, organizers have more than doubled the number of kids participating on Friday, with youth events and educational seminars also occurring on Saturday and Sunday. Many future agricultural leaders will be in Windsor this weekend,” said Whitcomb.
Schedule:
Friday (May 16) is Kid’s Day.  Activities & Displays currently scheduled include:
– Sheep
– Rabbits
– Oxen
– Insects and their role in agriculture
– Harness racing horses
– A live horse with a drawn-on skeleton to illustrate its anatomy
– Boer goats
– Types of food for livestock
– Veterinarians to explain care for livestock
– Windsor Historical Society will have schoolhouse and blacksmith shop open
– Matt Zidle from Channel 8 News will discuss weather and its effects on agriculture
Saturday’s events include: a feeder calf sale; pulling certification seminar; Boer goat sale and show; rabbit shows and sale; and several youth shows and clinics.
Sunday will showcase youth events and educational seminars.  Food, livestock equipment and educational vendors will be on the grounds all three days.
For more information on the expo, go to: http://www.northeastlivestockexpo.com/   
For more information about the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, go to: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/