Ethel M. Dutky has directed the plant diagnostic laboratory for the Maryland Cooperative Extension Service since 1979. She holds a BS in Entomology and an MS in Plant Pathology, both from the University of Maryland at College Park. Since the mid 1980's, Ethel has worked as the plant pathologist member of the team of Extension specialists developing Integrated Pest Management protocols for landscape, greenhouse and nursery production. These programs are called "Total Plant Management" because they include regular monitoring for diseases, nutrient levels, and plant size as well as the usual insect and mite pests. The grower is advised on fertilizer and growth regulators, as well as disease and pest control. The emphasis is on cultural and biological methods.
Anne Bird Sindermann has been a Plant Disease Specialist with the Maryland Department of Agriculture in Annapolis, Maryland since 1989. She holds a B.S. in Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture from Cornell University and a M.S. in Plant Pathology from the University of Maryland at College Park. She has twenty years of experience in horticulture with the last 13 specifically in plant diagnostics. Her work includes regulatory plant pathology, plant certification and diseases of ornamentals and nursery crops.
Ms. Tamela D. Michaels is the Information Systems Specialist for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Maryland, College Park. She is Project Manager for the Plant Sciences Telecommunications Rooms and serves as Webmaster for the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station. Her commitment to horticulture information systems stems from her interests in landscape architecture, agriculture education and her passion for technology.