Manatee County to Decide on Mixon Fruit Farm Land Use

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Next week, Manatee County commissioners will cast their votes regarding the acquisition of the Mixon Fruit Farms property located in East Bradenton. Although the farm ceased operations almost two years ago, its storied legacy may carry on, as one county commissioner envisions revitalizing the site.

For years, Mixon Fruit Farms has been a cornerstone of the Manatee County community. While it closed its doors two years ago, its influence in local agriculture may endure.

“Can I get an orange swirl ice cream, please?” a customer requested — a nostalgic indulgence that carries a bittersweet undertone for Janet Mixon.

“We love it, and mostly the stories. This place was a memory maker for people,” she shared while working in her family’s food truck, an initiative established after the farm closed in the summer of 2023.

“We aimed to retain everything that everyone loved about Mixons,” she noted, indicating that the food truck serves as a nostalgic experience for locals such as Alyssa Gay.

“Yep, tastes like my childhood. This is what I remember doing on a weekly basis,” Gay reminisced.

In a promising turn for the community, the potential purchase could revive the site in new ways. Janet mentioned, “They want most of the equipment that left here.”

Commissioner Amanda Ballard outlined plans to develop a library and community center on the property, with aspirations to host various community events while preserving the farmland for educational purposes. “It kind of lets you know that you really did make memories, and the fact that they could do something with that here — making the library and continuing to have weddings and events,” Janet said.

Coincidentally, the day of the county commissioners’ vote — scheduled for next Tuesday — signifies exactly two years since the farm’s closure.

Ballard expressed her optimism, stating, “I am hopeful that my fellow commissioners will see the value in preserving this special piece of land for public use.”

Having been a part of Bradenton since 1939, Janet believes this new vision can help forge fresh memories for the community and foster a lasting legacy for her family. “I’m excited to see what it does,” she remarked, hoping that her family’s influence remains potent for generations to come.

Ballard also indicated exploring collaborations with local universities for potential internship projects for students.