Co-founder of the Downtown Norfolk Community Garden. In 2021, John teamed up with the Freemason Baptist Church to begin an emerging project on the churchsite—a community garden. A former member of the Norfolk Civic League, he left the board to lead and direct this huge project. Despite the many challenges along the way, John and his team have managed to develop a flourishing garden with an ever-growing community in the heart of Downtown Norfolk.

Co-founder of the Downtown Norfolk Community Garden. Originally a vacant lot, Jack came up with the idea to revitalize the empty space into something more. After bringing the idea to the Church’s committee board, the project began with the goal of providing an inclusive and judgement-free zone. Beyond his contribution and conception of the community garden, Jack has worked extensively alongside other churches and local food banks to reduce homelessness and food insecurity within Downtown Norfolk.

Lexy joined the Downtown Norfolk community garden in July 2023 after moving from Cincinnati, Ohio. She fell in love with gardening ever since she joined her local community garden in college and eventually worked as a sustainability coordinator there during her summer breaks. She loves to interact with others who share her passion for gardening and has met many wonderful members through the monthly potlucks and power hours. She recently graduated with a masters in sustainable design and is currently working as a fellow assisting with the state and community energy programs for the Department of Energy. In her free time, she enjoys nourishing her garden plot, riding her bike through the botanic garden, and going to the beach!