Fran's Original Farm Stand

George Hillebrecht purchased his first parcel in Escondido in 1924, gradually expanding to 150 acres. Initially planting valencia oranges and lemons, he later added fuerte avocados. His son Ben continued the tradition, planting Hass avocados and muscat grapes. The farm stand began in the late 1970s out of necessity to sell imperfect muscat grapes. Over the years, the farm diversified its crops and expanded operations, including a second farm stand and participation in multiple farmer's markets. Today, the farm is managed by Laura Hillebrecht-Kapusnik and her brother Mike, who continue to cultivate a variety of crops.

The farm employs a mix of traditional and modern agricultural practices. They have converted old citrus plantings into a variety of crops, including deciduous fruit trees, raspberries, asparagus, strawberries, and tomatoes. The farm also operates an 80-acre ranch in San Pasqual Valley, focusing on valencia oranges, sweet corn, melons, and potatoes. Water management has been improved with enhanced well capacity, supporting new avocado plantings. Mike, a licensed pest control operator, oversees pest management and strawberry cultivation.

The farm stand offers a gluten-free deli, Fran’s Pumpkin Patch, and a Christmas tree lot. The family’s farming roots date back to the late 1960s, with early experiences in a family garden and participation in 4-H, where they gained livestock education and community service experience. The farm continues to contribute significantly to San Diego County's agricultural landscape, which has evolved from traditional food crops to include flowers and ornamental plants.