Just down the street from Very Mulberry, and a few miles from downtown Brentwood, tucked between orchards and open roads, you’ll find The Urban Edge, a 12-acre organic farm doing more than growing fruits and vegetables. It’s a growing community.
Owned by a retired couple, Barbara and Bob Cecchini, who lovingly refer to it as a “hobby farm,” The Urban Edge may not generate profit, but its value is rooted in purpose. The farm employs local workers, partners with school programs, and is committed to sustainability. While many farms chase profit, The Urban Edge focuses on impact. The Cecchinis believe protecting these farming practices is important, and they were among the first in the Brentwood area to place one of their properties under CFT protection.
“This little farm can’t sustain a family, but it gives back in other ways,” says the owner. “It gives us joy, gives our workers jobs, and gives schools fresh, local food.”
One of the farm’s most important partnerships is with the Edible Schoolyard in Stockton. Each week, The Urban Edge fills CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) bags with six items of fresh, organic produce, helping educate young students about where food comes from while supporting food access in nearby urban areas.
At the heart of The Urban Edge is its organic ethos. Surrounded by roads and canals, the farm is a true “organic island,” protected from conventional spray drift. Native pollinator habitats line the property, owl boxes assist with pest control, and diversity in crops—ranging from apricots and plums to citrus, persimmons, and apples—keeps the land balanced and thriving. Even challenges, like aphids and drought, are met with care. “Some years are better than others,” they admit, “but the apricots have done really well this year.”
“This isn’t just a farm. It’s a place where good things grow in the soil and in the soul.”
Beyond growing produce, The Urban Edge is creating space for community connection. Their on-site organic winery, run by a family member, is launching seasonal farm-to-table dinners, wine tastings, and events like “pioneer suppers” and pickle-and-cheese pairings. It’s about more than the food; it’s about sharing the story behind it.
“We want people to come here, walk the orchard, taste what’s in season, and feel that connection to the land.”
Even the old family boat has been transformed into a playhouse for visiting children, underscoring the farm’s family-friendly and welcoming spirit.
In a town like Brentwood, where urban development increasingly pushes against agricultural edges, The Urban Edge is a quiet but powerful reminder of what makes the city special. It honors Brentwood’s farming heritage while helping shape its future through education, sustainability, and community.
It may be small in acreage, but its influence runs wide. From schoolchildren in Stockton to neighbors stopping by for fresh cherries, The Urban Edge is more than a farm. It’s a bridge between the land and the lives it touches.
“This isn’t just a farm. It’s a place where good things grow in the soil and in the soul.”
