Program: Fite the Bite – Mosquito and Tick-Borne Diseases in Connecticut

John Shepard, an Assistant Scientist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, has expertise in the identification of larval and adult mosquitoes in the northeastern United States. Also, the ecology/epidemiology of arboviruses, particularly West Nile, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and Jamestown Canyon viruses. As a member of the Mosquito Management Program, he coordinates trapping of mosquitoes from 108 locations and oversees identification and submission of mosquitoes for arbovirus testing (approx. 250,000-350,000 mosquitoes annually) to assess public health risks of EEEv and WNv to the state.

John holds a BS in biology from Fairfield University and an MS in biology from Southern Connecticut State University.

Design Theme: Cinderella

A functional tray for one which must include a floral design with fresh plant material. The floral design should be in scale to the tray and one place setting.

Horticulture:

Class A – Vegetable

Class B – Fruit

Class C – Gourd/Ornamental Vegetable

Class D – Any other specimen

Library Plant Maintenance/Seed Library: Carol McCloskey

Remember, it’s time to heal in your plants for our spring plant sale.