Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Meet Joshua Purnell — local community builder, green strategist and the visionary behind Blueberry Lab, a neighborhood fruit garden project made possible through Norfolk’s Block-by-Block Neighborhood Pride Grant.🫐
Inspired by fruit trees lining the streets of Spain, Josh dreamed of bringing that same edible abundance to Norfolk. With support from the Ghent Neighborhood League and a $2,500 Block-by-Block grant from the Department of Neighborhood Services, that dream is now growing — literally! — as Josh and his team are now transforming previously unused land into rich, fertile soil for fruit-bearing plants.
🌱 Want to bring your own neighborhood idea to life? The Block-by-Block grant application window is OPEN NOW through November 7, offering $500 mini grants and $2,500 matching grants!
Learn more about how your civic league or neighborhood association can apply today at norfolk.gov/BlockbyBlock
Meet Joshua Purnell — local community builder, green strategist and the visionary behind Blueberry Lab, a neighborhood fruit garden project made possible through Norfolk’s Block-by-Block Neighborhood Pride Grant.🫐
Inspired by fruit trees lining the streets of Spain, Josh dreamed of bringing that same edible abundance to Norfolk. With support from the Ghent Neighborhood League and a $2,500 Block-by-Block grant from the Department of Neighborhood Services, that dream is now growing — literally! — as Josh and his team are now transforming previously unused land into rich, fertile soil for fruit-bearing plants.
🌱 Want to bring your own neighborhood idea to life? The Block-by-Block grant application window is OPEN NOW through November 7, offering $500 mini grants and $2,500 matching grants!
Learn more about how your civic league or neighborhood association can apply today at norfolk.gov/BlockbyBlock
