Brentwood highlight
Agricultural roots
Brentwood was founded in the late 1800s for its fertile soil and irrigation access, and today operates 60+ family-owned U-Pick farms, earning its designation as the U-Pick Capital of California.
Settlers arrived in Brentwood in the late 1800s drawn by the region's combination of flat, fertile land, abundant water for irrigation, and a sunny climate. Early agriculture focused on grain production before shifting to stone fruits, vegetables, and almonds. By the early 1900s, commercial farming operations began to expand; in 1922, the Balfour Guthrie Company, a major international agricultural enterprise, planted extensive orchards and built one of California's largest packing sheds, shipping nearly 800 railroad carloads of fruit and vegetables across the United States each year.
During the 1940s, women from nearby Richmond discovered that Brentwood's peaches and other fruits were ideal for home canning, and the U-Pick tradition began. Today, nearly a century later, the city operates more than 60 family-owned farms offering direct sales and U-Pick experiences to residents from throughout the region. The farms grow stone fruits, sweet corn, almonds, berries, and vegetables, and the city has formally recognized Brentwood as the U-Pick Capital of California.
Agricultural families and small farm businesses often span generations, with succession planning and continuity a constant concern. Life insurance plays a critical role in protecting both the family and the business in the years when the operation is most vulnerable: covering operating loans, maintaining the property, paying key employees, and enabling a smooth transition to the next generation.