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As the summer begins, we’re excited to introduce our community partner, the Brentwood Agricultural Land Trust. While Frog Hollow Farm is located in one of the most fertile growing regions in the world, our local farms continue to be threatened by development. For over a decade, BALT has worked with local farmers to protect their land. Once a month, we’ll include a “BALT Blast” in our newsletter telling you more about Brentwood farming and BALT’s work.
Brentwood farmers have been growing food for the Bay Area since the Gold Rush. With rich delta soils, ample water and a year-round growing season, East Contra Costa is ideal for orchards and row crops. Frog Hollow Farm and neighboring farms provide us with extraordinary fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as green jobs, open space and a sense of our history, place and seasons.
However, some of the qualities that make the Brentwood region perfect for growing fruits and vegetables also make it attractive for suburban development. Brentwood is close to cities and jobs, the land is flat and easy to build on, and the weather is beautiful. Over the past twenty years, the population of Brentwood has grown from 7,500 people to 50,000 people. Most of the new homes built for the burgeoning new population have been built on the farmland that has been feeding the Bay Area for generations.
Fortunately, the Brentwood region still has over 12,000 acres of the best farmland in the world. As the City of Brentwood has grown, BALT has been working to permanently protect local farmland so that future generations will continue to have a local source of food. Tune in next month to learn more about how BALT works with local farmers to protect farmland, build an economically vibrant agricultural economy and create connections between farmers and their urban neighbors. For more information about BALT, please visit www.brentwoodaglandtrust.org or follow the Brentwood Agricultural Land Trust on Facebook.
