USM open house is Nov. 13

PORTLAND — The University of Southern Maine will host an open house for adult, transfer and graduate students from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, in the Abromson Community Education Center, 88 Bedford St. Parking is free in the adjoining garage.

Representatives from academic programs will be on hand to discuss degree possibilities at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Student Services representatives will be available to help potential students begin to find a way to achieve their goals and fit education into their busy lives.

Hosted by USM Undergraduate Admission, Graduate Admissions and Professional and Continuing Education, this event is part of a concerted effort to help more people with some college experience complete a degree. The school also reminds those interested in expanding their education that pursuing their master’s degree at USM is a viable and competitive option.

One-third of USM students are over 25, half have transferred from other colleges and one-third attend part time.

For more information visit usm.maine.edu/openhouse.

Master Gardener Training Course

FALMOUTH — University of Maine Cooperative Extension in Cumberland County will offer a Master Gardener Training Course to begin Jan. 31. The 2014 training program will focus on fruits and vegetables and take place on 16 consecutive Friday afternoons.

A Master Gardener is a trained volunteer of UMaine Extension. Master Gardeners receive approximately 50 hours of practical training in basic horticulture and complete a minimum of 40 hours of approved volunteer work on various community-based projects around the county.

Participants must be residents of Cumberland County and are selected through an application process. Application packets are available by calling the Cumberland County Extension office at 207-781-6099 or 1-800-287-1471 (in Maine). The application packet is available online at umaine.edu/cumberland/programs/mg_app_cumb.

The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, Dec. 27.