John Miller,
Co-founder

In 2021, the Freemason Street Baptist Church partnered with members of the Downtown Norfolk Civic League to start a community garden on the church's property. Seeing an opportunity to give back to Downtown Norfolk, John resigned from his role as Vice President of the Downtown Norfolk Civic League to lead this ambitious project.

With six years of gardening experience, John began learning to garden while serving in the Navy. He connected with the broader gardening community at Knitting Mill Creek Community Garden, where he saw firsthand how gardens can unite diverse people for a common purpose. Inspired, he sought ways to give back to the community.

John’s goal for the garden was to restore a sense of community and togetherness, especially after the isolating effects of the pandemic. He noted, "People are still uncertain coming out of the pandemic, not sure what group activities they’re comfortable with."

Awareness and financing were major challenges. The team used social media to spread the word and create an advertising campaign, leading to support from donors, local businesses, and church members.

The garden welcomes people from all backgrounds, with around 25% of members having no prior gardening experience. John believes gardening is for anyone willing to try. In addition to providing fresh food, the garden offers a judgment-free space for people to grow their own. John is excited about future projects to further give back to the Downtown Norfolk community.