Part of moving to a new planned community is finding one that’s full of amenities that compliment your lifestyle. That’s why you’ll usually hear about the Olympic-size pool or miles of hiking trails or luxury spa at the center of the neighborhood.

One amenity is you don’t hear too often is the 7.4-acre urban farm where families can go to learn how to plan and harvest vegetables. Perhaps it’s the kind of agrarian feature we’ll hear more about in the future but for now you’ll have to look to communities such as The Cannery in Davis, CA.

Rendering of The Farm House at The Cannery / photo courtesy of The Cannery

Self-described as “California’s first farm-to-table new home community,” The Cannery features 135 townhomes and single-family houses ranging in price from $450,000 to $1 million on the site of a former tomato packing plant.

More importantly, it offers residents the chance to find the balance between living the luxury suburban life and appreciating the world around them. Every home here is within 300 feet of a park or trail that connects to Davis' 10-mile bicycle network. Homes are built with solar and low-impact efficiencies in mind. The community itself is meant to foster limiting energy consumption at every turn.

All of which isn’t to say there aren’t luxury amenities as well. At the center of the community is The Ranch House, around which you’ll find a swimming pool, spa, outdoor fireplace, and BBQ facilities. Nearby, The Farm House acts as the community’s Welcome Center and features a photovoltaic solar system to help offset electricity.

The upscale, urban, agrarian community model isn’t new, but communities like The Cannery are appearing more and more around the country. Just because people want to live well doesn’t mean they also don’t want to get their hands dirty from time to time.