AUGUSTA – The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association will host several presentations and discussion groups covering a wide range of sustainable agriculture subjects on Tuesday, Jan. 11. The program will take place at the Augusta Civic Center as part of the annual Maine Agricultural Trades Show, which runs through Thursday, Jan. 13.

All presentations are free and open to the public. The association will have an information exhibit during all three days of the show. Members are encouraged to attend the association’s annual meeting, which will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Civic Center’s Piscataquis/Sagadahoc Rooms.

For a complete listing of presentations including room locations at the show, go to http://www.getrealmaine.com/visit/trades_show_tues.html. For more information about the association, visit http://www.mofga.org.

Open house

CASTINE – Maine Maritime Academy will host an open house for prospective students and their parents on Sunday, Jan. 16, at the Sheraton Hotel near the Maine Mall in South Portland. The open house will consist of an informational presentation at 2 p.m., with registration beginning at 1.

Designed to bring Maine Maritime closer to the homes of southern Maine students, the open house will provide in-depth overviews of the college’s academic programs, extracurricular activities and options in student lifestyles.

A special workshop will focus on how to apply for financial aid and scholarships and will allow the opportunity for participants to calculate their expected family contribution from financial aid information they provide. Financial aid advice and admissions interviews will also be available. For a reservation, call 1-800-464-6565 (Maine), or 1-800-227-8465 (out-of-state).

Council meeting

AUGUSTA – The quarterly meeting of the Maine Diocesan Council of Catholic Women will take place on Saturday, Jan. 22, at St. Augustine’s Church. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m.

Soup will be furnished; bring whatever else for lunch. Those who plan to attend should notify Lorraine Douin at 19 Townsend Road, Augusta, 04330 or call 623-7709 by Sunday, Jan. 16.

Each unit or member is asked to bring a basket with goodies in it. Tickets will be available to purchase and there will be a winner for each basket. A 50/50 drawing will also be held. For more information, call Linda Jack at 743-2340.

Tracking workshop

AUGUSTA – An animal tracking workshop will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30, at the Pine Tree State Arboretum, 153 Hospital St.

Spend an intense day in-the-field learning how to observe and interpret the many clues left behind. The workshop will be led by Laura Sebastianelli, an experienced naturalist and educator, as well as an accomplished and passionate animal tracker.

Preregistration is required; limit, 12; fee, members, $20; nonmembers, $30. Call 621-0031 or e-mail [email protected] for more information or to register.