- December 4, 2025
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The future of Mixon Fruit Farms will be decided by Manatee County commissioners on July 29 when they vote to either purchase the property or pass.
If commissioners pass, Janet Mixon said she and her husband Dean Mixon will have no choice but to sell to a developer.
D.R. Horton is one of several developers that have made an offer on the property. Mixon said one plan proposes 150 townhomes on the site, which is the last resort as far as she’s concerned.
The Mixons are willing to drop their asking price a couple million below the appraised value of about $15.75 million if the county is willing to purchase the property.
Commissioner Amanda Ballard’s conceptual plans for the 84-year-old fruit farm would be a “dream come true,” Mixon said.
Ballard called the possible purchase a “once in a generation opportunity to preserve 40 acres of Old Florida within the urban core.”
She envisions a space that pays homage to Manatee County’s roots, while also giving the next generation of farmers a place to start. The fields could be broken up into one to two-acre agricultural leases for microfarming.
The leases would be affordable, and the farmers could sell their crops on site. Ballard suggested bringing in other agricultural producers for a big farmers market each weekend.
The county would also seek sponsorships from already established farms to fund the development of the microfarms.
Ballard said the county conducted two levels of environmental reviews, and after 84 years of citrus farming, only minor remediation would need to be done.
Microfarming the acreage would be the first priority, but there’s a 14,000-square-foot store to work with, as well. Ballard pictures that as a library and community center.
The closest library to the fruit farm at 2525 27th St. E. is over four miles away.
Ballard sees the kitchen being used for classes on nutrition, historic Florida cooking methods and canning techniques. The entire property would be an education on how to become self sustainable.
“This property means so much to so many people throughout the county,” Ballard said. “I’m hopeful that my fellow Commissioners will see the potential.”
Ballard also noted that the asking price is significantly below the appraisal price.
The Mixons simply don’t like the idea of so much hard work and history being bulldozed for 150 townhomes.
Anytime the Mixons go anywhere, someone tells them a story about visiting the farm for a birthday party or wedding or just to eat ice cream with their grandparents.
“It’s been a place where memories have been made,” Janet Mixon said. “The idea that it could continue as that makes us smile.”
Mixon also noted the 300 parking spaces and restrooms throughout the property. She said the property lends itself to all sorts of options. The barn out back could be used for covered pickleball courts, and the cages are still on site from when the Mixons kept animals on the property.
The land also dates back beyond its 84 years of citrus farming.
“In 1849, the United States government sold this land to Joseph Braden,” Mixon said. “It’s part of the beginning of the history of Bradenton, so continuing that would be awesome.”
If commissioners choose to purchase the property, the closing date is set for Sept. 12.
