Marcia Eames-Sheavly

I collaborate with human development researchers and program evaluation specialists to explore youth and adult interactions in garden settings, community and youth development skills and assets gained in garden-based learning, as well as to conduct formative and summative evaluations of our programming efforts.

Outreach and Extension 

As the children and youth program leader for Cornell Garden-Based Learning, my primary responsibilities are to provide statewide leadership and coordination of a multidisciplinary garden-based learning extension program for children and youth educators; teach distance courses on several topics; serve as a liaison between Engaged Cornell staff and Cornell Garden-Based Learning; and integrate Extension opportunities into numerous teaching activities. I have authored many educational resources, publications, book chapters, and articles. I collaborate with others, including my Cornell Garden-Based Learning co-leader Ashley Miller Helmholdt to: plan conferences and workshops to foster educator professional development; strengthen state and national partnerships and the research link to garden-based learning; lead the Seed to Supper project in New York State and engage the voices of diverse participants in the planning, design, implementation, and overall organization of garden programs.

Selected Publications

View publications on Google Scholar.

• Eames-Sheavly, M., & Mark Miller, (2008). Recommendations for Engaging Undergraduate Students in Community-Based Extension Field Experiences. Journal of Extension. 46:Article 6TOT1.
• Eames-Sheavly, M., Lekies, K. S., MacDonald, L., & Wong, K. J. (2007). Greener voices: an exploration of adult perceptions of participation of children and youth in gardening planning, design, and implementation. HortTechnology. 17:247-253.
• Eames-Sheavly, M. (2007). The Art of Horticulture: Student-Focused College Course Melds Science, Aesthetics, Plants, and Critical Reflection. Journal of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators. 39:7-13.

My goal for teaching and learning is to inspire and engage students in the life-long learning process, and to ignite a hunger for continued involvement with the plant world. I am keenly interested in the power of significant learning experiences, and I am passionate about plants and their ability to transform lives, whether in a university classroom, or by way of other avenues, such as the distance learning arena, and public, community-based venues. I aim to use my creativity and energy to inspire students to achieve a sense of personal mastery and collective action through collaboration, becoming exemplary scholars, professionals, and world citizens. After more than 25 years in the garden-based learning arena, I enjoy mentoring students, while learning from their innovative and resourcefulness. Vital to this accomplishment is establishing an environment based on trust, with evident structure, open communication, and mutual respect, in which students can realize their full potential and vision for their course work, as well as for their future.

• PLHRT 3250 - Intensive Study in Botanical Illustration
• PLHRT 4270 - Seed to Supper: The Role of the Garden in Community Food Security
• PLHRT 4271 - Seed to Supper II: Community Facilitation Practicum
• PLSCI 4975 - Leadership through Peer Mentoring in the Plant Sciences
• PLSCI 5500 - Let Your Life Speak