Popular FL Fruit Farm Sale For $13.5M Approved By County Commissioners

BRADENTON, FL — Manatee County commissioners voted unanimously to buy the former Mixon Fruit Farms property at 2525 27th Street E., Bradenton, for $13.5 million, the county said in a news release.

The 39-acre citrus farm was run by the same family for more than 84 years.

“We’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response with citizens and organizations that want to be a part of this important work that we’re going to be doing,” said Manatee County District 2 Commissioner Amanda Ballard, who called the purchase a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to preserve a piece of Old Florida within the urban core.”

The farm was listed for $15.8 million in early 2023 by Coldwell Banker.

The original listing for the property read, “The possibilities are endless - from residential housing to commercial development, the choice is yours. And with the land already divided into parcels, it's easy to customize your project to fit your needs. The sprawling land is divided into four parcels, each with its own unique character and charm.”

With the Mixon Fruit Farm store and warehouse, the land is also “perfect for those looking to take over a well-known agribusiness that has stood the test of time since 1939,” Coldwell Banker said.
Mixon’s store closed at the end of July 2023 and the property remained open for event rentals through early 2024.

Owners Dean and Janet Mixon told Patch at the time that there were a number of factors that led to the tough decision of selling the family property — a declining citrus industry hit hard by disease in recent decades, stringent regulations, rising insurance costs, difficulties finding and retaining employees.

“We get people all the time that will go, ‘Why are those farmers just selling their land?’” Janet said. “Farmers would not sell their land if they were not basically pushed out. And when you have trees that were planted in the 1800s and they’re all killed within 20 years, they’re all dead, it’s sad. It’s very sad.”

See Also:

• Mixon Fruit Farms Could Get New Owners After 84 Years
• Mixon Fruit Farms For Sale In Bradenton For $15.8M: Coldwell Banker
• Waterfront Mansion Sells For $30.3M In 25 Days, Sets Longboat Key Residential Sale Record
• Mixon Owners Discuss Decision To Sell Citrus Far
• FL Property With Liveable Lighthouse, Boat-Shaped House To Appear On HGTV

Dean’s grandparents started the business in 1939, but were selling citrus well before that from a roadside fruit stand outside their house. He grew up on the farm and in the citrus industry, taking over the company as a third-generation owner.

After closing the farm, Dean and Janet continue to operate The Mixon Swirl food truck, named for and inspired by its popular ice cream.

While plans for the property haven’t been finalized, commissioners said they hope the space will pay homage to the county’s agricultural roots and also give the next generation of farmers a place to get their start.

County leaders have also discussed building a library branch at the site.

A natural resources program manager will be hired to create and run educational events and activities on the property and other programs focused on water-quality education and conservation practices, community and micro gardens, composting and soil health, agritourism and cooperative farming models, food security and access to fresh and local produce, the county said.

The site will also be available for rentals, with a sports and leisure services event supervisor managing and overseeing weddings and other events.

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