Barb Schmidt holds a Bachelor of Science in biology and chemistry and a secondary

science teaching certificate. She has spent the past 20 years cultivating orchids and

advancing orchid education nationwide. She maintains the instructional website

www.basorchidcare.com and teaches regularly for Longwood Gardens, the New York

Botanical Gardens, and the Smithsonian Associates.

Her 2016 book, Orchid Care: For the Beginner, has introduced many new growers to

the fundamentals of orchid culture. She has contributed multiple articles to the American

Orchid Society’s Orchids magazine, and in 2021 she authored the AOS children’s

sticker book, Stuck on Orchids.

Barb joined the AOS Education Committee in 2017, a role that aligned her scientific

background with her commitment to accessible, highquality education. Her leadership

has been consistently recognized: she received the AOS Certificate of Meritorious

Achievement in Orchid Education in 2020 and was elected to the AOS Board of

Trustees in 2021. She held the position of Chair of the Education Committee 2022-

2026, guiding initiatives such as the Junior Flower Show, QR Codeenabled orchid care

sheets, and educational posters and videos for society orchid shows.

In 2026, Barb began her second term as AOS Vice President, focused on two priorities:

strengthening support for Affiliated Societies and elevating the visibility and impact of

the AOS brand. Her work reflects a clear vision, steady leadership, and a deep

commitment to advancing orchid education at every level.