Happy Retirement, Ann & Mike!

Chris Beytes

Talk about a big industry vacuum to fill … long-time horticultural consultant Ann Chase and her business partner and husband, Mike Zemke, have retired as of December 31, 2024. Together, they ran Chase Horticultural Research, which they rebranded in 2011 to Chase Agricultural Consulting when they relocated from California to Arizona.

Ann is a world-recognized plant pathologist focused on research, diagnostics and practical consulting plant pathology for ornamental crops. She’s been widely published and has spoken at every major and minor industry event. She received her Ph.D. from the University of California at Riverside in 1979, after which she joined the University of Florida’s Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka. She retired from there in 1994, but remains on staff as a Professor Emeritus.

Mike holds an Associate of Applied Science in manufacturing drafting. He said he started his education in horticulture when he and Ann were married in 1995. He specializes in communications of all sorts within the industry.

Said Mike in his email to us with the announcement, “It has been rewarding and challenging, and the best part was after you’ve helped someone to see the smile on their face.”

So what are their plans now? With no more consulting, writing, speaking and growing of plant trials, how will they spend their time? Doing some RV traveling, along with various home and yard projects, said Mike. GT