Juried student art exhibit

GORHAM — The University of Southern Maine Art Gallery on the Gorham campus presents the annual Juried Student Exhibition. It will run from Thursday, March 14, through Wednesday, April 3. The gallery will be closed during spring break, Monday, March 25, to Sunday, March 31.

The opening reception takes place from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, March 14, with an awards ceremony at 6:30 p.m. The gallery hours are from noon to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. All events are free and open to the public.

For more information, call 207-780-5008 or visit www.usm.maine.edu/gallery or www.facebook.com/USMArtGallery.

KVCC plans open house

FAIRFIELD — Kennebec Valley Community College will hold an open house Thursday, March 21, featuring campus tours, financial aid guidance, program information and more.

The open house from 4 to 6 p.m. in the King Hall Campus Center will include refreshments. It is free and open to the public.

The application fee will be waived for all those attending the open house.

For more information call the Admissions Office at 453-5035 or email jbourgoin@kvcc.me.edu.

Vegetable gardening course

FALMOUTH — The University of Maine Cooperative Extension will present a five-session vegetable gardening course on Friday afternoons from 2 to 4:30 p.m. starting Friday, April 24.

The course is designed for serious gardeners and those individuals new to the Maine climate. It will include classroom, hands-on activities, problem solving and field sessions. The course will address garden planning, season extension, applied soil science, water issues and the effective management of weeds, insects, wildlife and diseases.

The fee is $50 per person and includes a handy reference notebook for gardeners. Partial scholarships are available.

Space is limited to 25 participants. For more information, or to request a disability accommodation, contact 207-781-6099 or 1-800-287-1471 or andrea.herr@maine.edu or visit umaine.edu/cumberland/programs/vegetable-gardening-course.

Exchange student families sought

STATEWIDE — ASSE International Student Exchange Programs is seeking local host families for boys and girls from a variety of countries around the world. These students are 15 to 18 years of age, and are coming to this area for the upcoming high school year or semester. The students are personable, academically selected, conversant in English, bright, curious and excited to learn about the America by living as part of a family, attending high school and sharing their own culture and language.

Each ASSE student is fully insured, brings his or her own personal spending money and expects to contribute to household responsibilities, as well as being included in normal family activities and lifestyles.

To become a host family or to find out how to become involved with ASSE in your community, call Joyce McKenney at 207-737-4666 or the regional office at 1-800-677-2773.

Farm tractor safety course

GRAY — The University of Maine Cooperative Extension in Cumberland County offers courses in farm tractor safety every spring. The 2013 Farm Tractor Safety Course is scheduled for five consecutive Tuesday evenings beginning April 30 and will take place at the Maine Forest Service Building on Route 26. There is a $15 fee to participate.

Individuals will receive practical training in the classroom, a shop session, as well as an opportunity to be on the tractor seat operating a farm tractor. This course is suitable for youth and adults. Individuals must be at least 13 years of age.

For more information or to register call 207-781-6099 or 1-800-287-1471. Space is limited to 26 participants.