We bought an avocado ranch 50 miles north of San Diego, California in 2000 and built a very unique house on our property. The building style is called Colonial Cape Dutch and originates from South Africa. We also operate a registered nursery that specializes in the propagating and growing of various varieties of Protea and other South African and Australian plants. There are remarkable similarities between Southern California and Southern Africa - and not only the weather, but also the fauna and flora. On our property in Valley Center, California, we grow Protea, avocados, gem squash, white pumpkins ('boer pampoene'), various grape varieties, peaches, pears, plums, apples, grenadillas (purple and yellow passion fruit), banana, figs, oranges, lemons, limes, tangelos (naartjies), grapefruit, almonds, guavas, quince, mango, cape gooseberries, pomegranates, macadamia nuts, cherimoyas, watermelons, strawberries, blue berries, raspberries and even acacia bushveld thorn trees ('wit doring' ).

Where does the name 'Eureka Farms' come from, you ask. Here's the story. The first diamond discovered in South Africa was by pure accident. It was used for a long time by the children of a Dutch farmer called Jacobs, as a plaything. Schalk van Niekerk, a neighbor, seeing the children playing with some nice stones, took a closer look and at once noticed the gem. It turned out to be the 21.25 carat Eureka Diamond. The analogy of finding a ‘diamond in the rough’ was fitting for Eureka Farms - fulfilling our dreams and aspirations.

Mission Statement

Eureka Farms was established in 2000 by Eugene and June Brill. Situated in Valley Center, Southern California, the 9.41 acre property overlooks the picturesque Pauma Valley and the majestic Palomar Mountain. Surrounding the traditional Cape Dutch house is a producing Hass avocado grove. In 2004, Cape Flower Fields was formed with the specific purpose to grow South African and Australian flowers. The onsite nursery propagates the majority of the Protea, Leucadendron (Sunset Safari, Galpinii, etc), Leucospermum (Pincushions), Banksia and Waxflower (from Australia) that are grown in the fields adjacent to the avocado grove. Various fillers (Long stem Myrtle, Eucalyptus, etc) and Cape greens (Sunset Safari, Galpinii, etc) are also grown to compliment the cut-flower harvest. Grosso lavender fields supply the beehives with an ample supply of lavender-flavored pollen, producing a mild lavender honey.