Manatee County Acquires Historic Mixon Farms Property for $13.5 Million to Preserve Agricultural Legacy
BRADENTON – Manatee County has officially purchased the 39-acre Mixon Farms property for $13.5 million, securing one of the region’s most cherished agricultural landmarks and ensuring its legacy continues for future generations.
For more than 80 years, Mixon Farms has been a staple of Manatee County’s history — known for its citrus groves, orange swirl ice cream, weddings, and family-friendly traditions. On Friday, surrounded by friends, family, and community members, Janet and Dean Mixon symbolically handed over the keys to the county, marking a new chapter for the historic site.
County officials plan to transform the property into a vibrant community hub while maintaining its agricultural roots. The proposed plans include a new library, playground, community gardens, and open space for educational and recreational activities. The site will continue to host weddings and events, reflecting its long-standing role as a gathering place for residents.
Commissioner Amanda Ballard, who worked with the Mixon family for two years to make the purchase possible, said the goal is to blend preservation with progress. “We are providing space for kids to get their hands in the dirt, learn about agriculture, and train the next generation of farmers,” Ballard said. “This is about preserving our agricultural heritage and bringing it into the future.”
Located in an area often described as a fresh food desert, the Mixon Farms property will now serve as a model for sustainable community development. John Taylor, owner of Ralph Taylor’s Nurseries and a board member of the Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association, emphasized the significance of maintaining large-scale agricultural activity west of the interstate.
On Friday, students and volunteers planted new greenery across the site, symbolizing the beginning of its next phase. Future partnerships with the Farm Bureau and local agricultural programs, including Future Farmers of America, are already being discussed to ensure Mixon Farms remains a living classroom for generations to come.
For many in Manatee County, the purchase marks both an end and a beginning — preserving more than 85 years of memories while laying the groundwork for a future rooted in community and cultivation.
