Organic farm day

Learn about organic seed varieties, extending growing seasons, compost quality and other organic agriculture topics at Organic Vegetable Research Farm Day, Aug. 17 at 4 p.m. at Cornell's Freeville Farm. The field day includes a brief overview of farm projects in the farm's Thompson lab, followed by in-field sessions (designed for hands-on learning) with researchers. Sessions are free and open to the public. The 30-acre organic farm, part of the Homer C. Thompson Vegetable Research Farm, is at 133 Fall Creek Road, Freeville, about 10 miles northeast of the Cornell campus. Information: http://www.cuaes.cornell.edu/cals/cuaes/ag-operations/freeville-farm/.

Dinner with an astronomer

Graduate students can discuss astronomical research and career opportunities, get advice and more from a Cornell scientist and astronomy graduate students at Dinner with an Astronomer, Aug. 18 at 6:30 p.m. in 622 Space Sciences Building.

Cornell's Astronomy Graduate Network will provide pasta and breadsticks; bring a side dish, dessert or beverage to share. RSVP to amartin@astro.cornell.edu by Aug. 16, noting what you will bring to the potluck.

A new year

The "Sunday Forum" radio show will focus on the new academic year, Aug. 16 at 6 p.m. on WVBR-FM 93.5, online at http://www.wvbr.com.

Host Tommy Bruce, Cornell vice president of university communications, and co-host Mike Beyman, vice president of WVBR, will talk to guests about orientation, academic advising, the New Student Reading Project and how parents can cope with leaving a child at college for the first time. The program also features a calendar of Cornell events coming this fall.

Library know-how

Learn how American academic libraries work, go over basic searching skills, library services and more at an orientation session, The American Academic Library, offered Aug. 20 and 21 at 11 a.m. in 106G Olin Library.The workshop is designed for new international students and faculty members with little or no experience using academic libraries in the United States. Jargon, practices and policies will also be discussed. Students and faculty members who are new to the United States should attend one of these sessions prior to attending a Library Research Orientation session.