Barb Schmidt

Barb Schmidt has a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and chemistry.  She worked as an environmental scientist for Pennsylvania Power & Light Company for 10 years before running her own environmental water quality consulting firm for 25 years.  In 2004, Barb went back to school, received a teaching certificate in secondary science and began teaching at a local middle school. 

Barb has been raising orchids for the last 17 years, maintains an orchid website at www.basorchidcare.com and teaches orchid classes throughout the country.  In 2016, Barb published her introductory orchid care book, Orchid Care: For the Beginner; and, in 2019, Barb also had the privilege of becoming an author for the American Orchid Society’s (AOS’s) Orchids magazine.

While Barb joined the AOS many years ago, she finally found her home on the Education Committee which combined her love of orchids and passion to educate children.  She is currently Vice-Chair of this committee and has spear-headed projects such as the Junior Flower Show pilot project in 2018/2019 and the QR Code Project in 2020.  In 2021, Barb received the AOS Certificate of Meritorious Achievement in Orchid Education.