Growing up on a farm in the Midwest, Dorie has always gardened. Herbs entered her life over a dozen years ago in the form of some plants given to her by a friend and captured her imagination. These multi-purpose plants have become an integral part of her gardens and her life. She is constantly researching and using this plants for a variety of reasons. Lecturing and writing about herbs is a natural outcome of these interests and activities.

She is a graduate of Indiana State University with a BSN and is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau nursing honorary. She also holds Master Gardener and Advanced Master Gardener certificates from Purdue University, a certificate in Herbal Medicine Studies from The Herbal Healer Academy in Mt. View, Arkansas, and a certificate in Herbal Medicine Studies from The School of Herbal Medicine in Suquamish, Washington. Her books are "Natural Body Basics" (Gooseberry Hill Publication, Inc.) and "Herbal Remedy Gardens" (Storey Publications, Inc.). She co-edited and contributed to the book "Taste Life-The Organic Choice" (Vital Health Publishing). Other accomplishments include: Advisory Board Member and Expert Reader to "The Complete Guide to Natural Healing"; contributor, "Storey's Basic Skills" (Storey Publications, Inc.); author of the Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin "Growing Herbs for Cold and Flu Relief"' and monthly gardening and herb columnist for the Martinsville Indiana "Reporter's" website. Dorie is listed among the Who's Who of American Women. She has spoken throughout the Midwest and Eastern United States to a wide variety of interested groups. Her lectures and programs are highly informative and entertaining.