Hansen's passion for farming remains strong

Remembering the past and admiring the fruits of his outdoor labor is something that pleases 98-year-old Hans Victor Hansen.

“I grew all my palm trees from seeds,” he said, looking at his trees. “I worked the soil.”

Even though Hansen spent the majority of his working years in the engineering and public retirement departments at Lockheed, his interest in farming never waned. He inherited a passion for farming from his father.

Born in North Dakota, Hansen and his family relocated to Pomona, CA, when he was a baby. “We had 20 acres,” he said.

Hansen’s father was a wheat farmer and eventually became successful with citrus and avocado crops. With five brothers and three sisters, there were plenty of hands to help.

“There were always a bunch of kids at the farm and we’d play ball,” said Hansen. “I really liked the campfires we had at night.”

His mother, explained Hansen, always had plenty of food for the kids to munch on, and his favorite snack was grilled potato slices. The great taste of his mother’s homemade baked bread is still a fond memory.

Hansen attended and graduated from Pomona College with a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in biology. His thesis was on the study of cell structure.

His adeptness in his studies gave Hansen the opportunity to become an assistant professor in the Agriculture Department for several years. He also met his beloved wife, Virginia, at Pomona.

After he finished teaching at Pomona, Hansen went on to Lockheed and worked there until he retired. “There was a lot of work to do at Lockheed,” he reminisced.

While at Lockheed, Hansen started to invest in property in Mecca and Northridge. As time pushed on, he sold these properties and, after retirement, found himself in Fallbrook.

“I bought a rundown citrus grove,” explained Hansen. “But, with proper care, I brought it back and in four to five years it became profitable.”

Hansen also started the Fallbrook Christmas Tree Farm on Rod Street. “I like to grow things,” he said. “I get a lot of satisfaction in seeing the seeds grow into something.”

At one time, Hansen was named Farmer of the Year for San Diego County.

Hansen’s wife, Virginia, was a primary school teacher. When she passed away, Hansen started the Hansen Endowment Fund in her honor (1988) at California State University San Marcos.

Nationally recognized teachers, speakers and administrators have attended the Virginia Hansen Symposium, hosted by the College of Education. The symposium has offered quality information to improve teaching practices and methods in order to enhance and enrich students.

Creating the Hansen Endowment was a special way for Hansen to be sure that his wife’s love of teaching would live forever.

As Hansen grew older and his ability to manage the groves became cumbersome, he sold more parcels. Now, single-family residences occupy the land where groves once stood around his home.

Although his groves have been downscaled to a vegetable garden and nearby fruit trees, Hansen’s passion for farming still remains strong. “When you have fertilizer, water and care, then you’re in business,” he said, smiling, as he viewed his garden.

A special “thank you” to the Fallbrook Healthcare Foundation for making this interview possible.