Manatee County Approves $13.5M Purchase of Historic Mixon Fruit Farm for Community Use
The Manatee County Commission has unanimously approved the $13.5 million purchase of the former Mixon Fruit Farm, a 39-acre property long cherished as a local attraction and agricultural landmark.
In a 7-0 vote Tuesday, commissioners supported the acquisition, which includes the 38,026-square-foot former farm store and pavilion, a 2,538-square-foot home, and the surrounding agricultural land at 2525 27th Street E.
The property, which opened in 1939, served for decades as a family-run citrus grove, event venue, and tourist destination. It closed in 2023 due to staffing shortages, hurricane-related losses, and economic pressures on Florida’s citrus industry.
Under the county’s new plan, the site will be preserved for public benefit. Manatee County staff will manage the land, continuing to offer weddings and community events at the venue while expanding its use to include environmental education and food access initiatives.
A newly hired natural resources program manager will oversee programs centered on water quality, composting, community gardening, agritourism, food security, and cooperative farming. The county also plans to build a full-service library on the property to expand the Manatee County Library System's reach.
Commission Chair George Kruse expressed strong support for the investment, emphasizing the need for county resources in the area. Calling the neighborhood around the property a “funding desert,” Kruse said, “These people pay taxes… We’ve built nothing for this area. They need services.”
The property was initially listed for $15.8 million. Despite interest from developers, owners Janet and Dean Mixon hoped the land would remain preserved and made accessible to the community. The family cited years of hardship—from trade policy impacts and disease in the citrus industry to the devastation of Hurricane Ian—as the reasons behind their decision to sell.
The sale is expected to close by September 12, with long-term plans aiming to honor the Mixon legacy while transforming the property into a hub for community learning, sustainability, and public enrichment.
