Our Story

Get to Know Our Eggs

Founded in 1925, Rosemary Farm is one of the oldest egg producers in California. We both produce and distribute eggs, meaning that we have a deep understanding of the farms from which we're sourcing and can ensure the quality of every egg that bears our brand. We're proud of our name and our history, but that doesn't stop us from adapting to new technologies and higher standards. We carry on a history of quality and innovation, and we're mindful of that legacy every day.

A Legacy Built on Innovation

Our Beginnings

Captain G. Allan Hancock — businessman, entrepreneur, sea captain, cellist, farmer, philanthropist, and more — started Rosemary Farm in 1925 with a focus on quality and freshness. From the very beginning, Captain Hancock imbued his work with a sense of connection to his family and his community. 

He named his egg farm after his daughter and and focused on innovations that would make it as productive and efficient as possible. His reasons for pioneering new practices were two-fold: He wanted to create a better system for his hens and better eggs for his community.  

Captain Hancock was a trailblazer in adopting ethical practices for raising hens. He used a patented coop-cleaning machine, planted rows of trees for shade and wind shelter, and implemented various measures to ensure the health and happiness of his hens.


Small blue boxes filled with brown eggs
Three chickens standing on an old wooden fence

Rooted in California

Captain G. Allan Hancock founded his family farm in Santa Maria, CA, in 1925. Nearly a century later, Rosemary Farm still operates a distribution hub and storefront in Santa Maria and sources its eggs from a carefully selected group of small producers in California and South Dakota.

Our California roots have had a lasting impact on our product and perspective, and we've made a lasting impact on California in return. Rosemary Farm founder Captain Hancock left an indelible mark on Los Angeles and the surrounding areas with his pioneering and philanthropic spirit.

In the early twentieth century, Captain Hancock's family property included portions of what is today West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and the “Mid-Wilshire” district of Los Angeles. During his life time Captain Hancock's family built the Hancock Park neighborhood, still considered one of Los Angeles’ most luxurious areas. The Hancocks also developed the “Miracle Mile” segment of Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles, which included donating the land around the world famous La Brea Tarpits to Los Angeles City, which today includes the huge Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The family has also donated 7 million dollars to the University of Southern California to help future generations of Californians thrive.

A Different Kind of Farm

Captain Hancock started Rosemary Farm in 1925 and named his new venture after his beloved daughter. His passions for family, community building, and innovation were visible from the start. Captain Hancock’s original farm housed thousands of laying hens and incorporated the most advanced technologies of the time to produce quality eggs.

Captain Hancock was also an early adopter of ethical practices for raising hens. His methods included a patented machine for cleaning and vacuuming chicken coops to keep the hens’ environment pleasant and sanitary. He also planted rows of trees between the barns to provide the hens shade and wind shelter and adapted other measures to promote the health and happiness of his hens.

Today, Rosemary Farm continues the Captain’s community-building ethic and forward-thinking approach to egg production. We mindfully produce quality eggs for our communities; each Rosemary Farm egg represents our tradition of respect for the care of our community, our hens, our environment, our customers and our future.

More to Explore