Brentwood partners with local non-profits, such as the California Farmland Trust to negotiate “conservation easements” for local farms that are potentially threatened by housing development. These conservation easements are real estate agreements, in which the property owner agrees to have the farmland reserved solely for agricultural use in perpetuity. To date, the City of Brentwood has contributed more than $12 million for easements that have helped to preserve 988 acres of local farmland.

The City has adopted an Agricultural Enterprise Implementation Plan to support business development and expand economic opportunities within Brentwood’s agriculture sector.

Many industries, from food processing to biotechnology, may be attracted by Brentwood’s farmland. These farmlands offer some of the most fertile soil in all of California. In addition, most of the 11,000 acres of local farmland receive irrigation water from the local irrigation district that has a pre-1914 water right – which allows much greater reliability, flexibility and affordability in using this water supply.

The City encourages and supports new agriculture-related business ventures. For example, the City’s new Community Center is equipped with a large commercial kitchen that is made available to business start-ups related to local farms. The City has also begun to reach out to several key industries that might be interested in Brentwood’s agricultural resources, such as the industrial biotechnology sector.

Brentwood farms attract more than 500,000 visitors each year who come to pick fruit and sample Brentwood’s farming heritage. These activities create the opportunity to build regional retail and tourism in the area – another potential source of jobs.

Thus, Brentwood’s farms are a great source of pride for the community, and they may also become increasingly important as a source of new jobs and business activity.

The City’s Brentwood Grown program has increased public awareness about the superior quality of produce grown in Brentwood. In addition, the City has an ongoing partnership with Harvest Time in Brentwood (a local grower’s co-op) to publish a farm map that informs visitors how to enjoy local farms.

 

In 2024, the City of Brentwood was officially recognized as the U-Pick Capital, a designation that honors its unmatched concentration of more than 60 family-owned farms offering visitors the opportunity to harvest seasonal fruits and vegetables. This recognition highlights Brentwood’s decades-long leadership in U-Pick farming, its deep-rooted agricultural traditions, and the City’s ongoing commitment to preserving its rich farming heritage. From cherries and peaches to strawberries, corn, and tomatoes, Brentwood offers a one-of-a-kind experience where visitors can pick fresh produce directly from the source.

Learn more about U-Pick Capital at https://upickcapital.com

 

Brentwood is now part of the Contra Costa American Viticultural Area (AVA), a federal designation granted in 2024 by the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).

This recognition places Brentwood’s vineyards and wineries on the map among California’s esteemed wine-growing regions. The Contra Costa AVA highlights Brentwood’s unique soils, climate, and winemaking legacy dating back to the 1800s. Wineries in the region can now proudly label their bottles with the “Contra Costa” AVA name, helping elevate local wine and agritourism. 

 Learn more about the Contra Costa Wine Growers at https://ccwinegrowers.com/