WINDSOR -- The first annual Livestock Expo at the Windsor Fairgrounds was off to a soggy start Friday.

Gates opened at noon in a light drizzle and cool temperatures, but wet weather didn't stop 100 exhibitors from arriving with their farm animals. Scores of young people, mostly 4-H club members, also were on hand with animals they raised.

Goats are on display from as far away as New York and New Jersey, and cattle from as far as South Carolina.

Closer to home, former Sen. Marge Kilkelly of Dresden is an organizer of Thyme for Goat, a group of goat farmers who call it "the other red meat from Maine family farms."

Her stand at the fairgrounds was serving hot goat chile and cornbread at $6 per serving Friday.

Goat farmers Donna Williams of Windsor and Al Maloney of Waldoboro were helping out.

"These are farm folks, so the weather doesn't stop them," said Ron Howard, event coordinator and manager of Aldermere Farm in Rockport, home of belted galloway cows. "It's an important event for the them to market their animals, to bring buyers and sellers together, and to contribute to sustainable agriculture," he said.

Newman Gamage, who raises hay, corn and grasses on 250 acres, was hoping to sell some seed at the expo. He has 14 varieties of corn, he said, and he explained that grass-fed cows produce "the healthiest milk you can get."

A Litchfield native, he moved to Augusta in 1944, when there were 26 dairy farms on Church Hill Road.

"When I sold my cows in 1989," he claimed, "they were the last cows in Augusta."

An outdoor horse and pony show was called off Friday because of slippery track conditions.

But Howard said he anticipates a good turnout despite the damp. He hoped the sun would shine by Sunday, the final day of the combined goat, sheep and cattle show.

For the past 16 years, a Maine/New England Beef Expo took place at this time; this year, organizers decided to expand the event, which is sponsored by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Maine Beef Producers, Maine Sheep Breeders Association and Boer Goat Breeders of Maine.

For more information, visit http://www.northeastlivestockexpo.com

Steve Cartwright -- 623-3811, Ext. 435

scartwright@centralmaine.com