Funding available

SCARBOROUGH – The National Scholarship Fund board of directors voted to open its application process to young adults who have grown out of foster care and want to attend community college in Maine.

The board also approved limited scholarship funding, beginning in January 2009, for students who grew out of foster care and are enrolled in a Maine community college.

The deadline is Monday, Dec. 15; applications can be downloaded at www.nationalscholarshipfund.org or call 510-7502.

Literary awards

BATH – Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance is seeking nominations for the 2009 Maine Literary Awards. Deadline for nominations is Monday, Dec. 15. All Maine writers and Maine-based publishers may submit nominations. Self-nomination is encouraged.

Awards will be chosen in both published book categories, as well as unpublished categories. Winners will be honored at a public ceremony in April 2009.

More information and nomination forms can be downloaded at www.mainewriters.org.

Poet fellowships

ELLSWORTH – Promising Maine poets seeking to develop their writing skills are encouraged to apply for a Martin Dibner Fellowship through the Maine Community Foundation. One or two grants in the $500 to $1,000 range will be awarded.

The Dibner Memorial Fellowship for Maine Writers Fund supports enrollment in workshops and, secondarily, helps cover living expenses while finishing a writing project. A review committee considers the quality of the work.

Application deadline is Jan. 15. For guidelines, visit www.mainecf.org or call 1-877-700-6800.

Produce reaped

ORONO – The University of Maine Cooperative Extension has collected 69,895 pounds of produce, 70 dozen ears of corn and 60 loaves of bread as part of its Plant a Row for the Hungry outreach project.

Home gardeners, master gardeners and others participate in the program, which provides fresh fruits and vegetables to needy individuals and families in Maine.

Androscoggin and Sagadahoc counties donated 3,750 pounds of produce, Franklin County donated 3,200 pounds of produce and Oxford County donated 3,610 pounds of produce, 65 dozen ears of corn and 60 loaves of bread.

“Despite the less than ideal growing season, Maine gardeners and farmers have once again given generously of their time and harvest to make a huge difference in combating hunger in Maine,” said Barbara Murphy, an Extension educator in Oxford County. The local effort is part of a national program sponsored by the Garden Writers Association.