Grassroots inspired initiatives are taking root in Manatee County, ideas lead by servant citizens who simply want the best for their community. These citizens have always been there but something changed in November of 2024 that started allowing these projects to succeed. The power of the people has surged in this growing county only to catch the attention of some in Tallahassee who were seemingly very prepared to smother an awakening of this kind.
Manatee County has long been known as the small lower income sleepy town between Tampa and Sarasota, great for family vacations and affordable living. Fast forward through the Covid years and you land in a very different looking County, growing in every corner as many out of staters race to buy up their piece of affordable paradise before it vanishes. In 2017 Manatee County had a budget of 628 million dollars and was able to avoid raising property taxes. In 2024 the Manatee County budget was 2.9 billion dollars thanks largely to growth and yet we have roads we cannot afford to widen which newly arrived resident are clamoring over. With the influx of new residents and budget that has essentially tripled where do we draw the line of building new roads for the potential of newer resident’s vs investing in the communities which have been here long before our radical growth.
In November of last year, the people of this county voted on 4 commissioner seats for the purpose of regulating growth and how our dollars are being spent. 3 of the 4 seats had new representation voted in. These commissioners rolled up their sleeves to crank on the nuts and bolts of our LDC and make changes to protect our county. Suddenly rulings from Tallahassee in the way of SB 180 stripped them of their right for home rule and effective change. This has left the board with little ability to promote effective economic growth by way of responsible development while protecting what makes Manatee County special.
Then something magical happened, a longtime resident of our county made a gesture that should make anyone who calls this place home proud. The Mixon’s, a citrus agrotourism favorite closed their doors due to struggles with an industry crippling citrus greening issue that still promises no rapid solutions. The sorrow of losing Mixon Fruit Farms was resurrected when the family sold the property for millions under value to the county. Preserving it as an agricultural education site the location was renamed Mixon Farms. A passing of the key ceremony on Friday November 7th was much more than just a ceremony and picture taking. Virtually every county commissioner was in attendance, the large wedding pavilion on site had standing room only for everyone who came. The Community was not just there to witness the ceremony but to embark on this sites new destiny. South East Highschool and Johnson K-8 along with Master Gardeners and local residents all showed up to help relandscape the first project area.
Over $7,000 worth of plants were donated by the local Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association for the landscape design made by The Veranda View. The intent of showcasing Florida Friendly Landscape is for resident to learn from, and also to be an example of good land and resource stewardship by our county. The Mixon Farm facility as each phase rolls out will include a wedding venue, community garden, farm plots, farmers market, a library, and educational teaching kitchen. This property is located in an underserved area of the county and will offer all the resources an individual would need to start a business using the facility created by the county, for the people.
In the last months Manatee County has been accused of, “Excessive, Wasteful Spending” by some. The Mixon project was a 13.5 million dollar purchase out of a 2.9-billion-dollar budget, that’s less than .5% of the county budget. Obviously, there will be more spending necessary to bring all aspects of the farm to life, but with a venue that can create income via weddings and farmers market this county site stands to be one that could actually be self-sustaining once fully operational. Unlike more baseball fields or skate parks this location will not be a constant financial loss on the county books. The uniqueness of the project and it’s real potential is in creating entrepreneurs who could learn about agriculture on site, sell items at the farmers market to prove a viable business model. Creating business infrastructure and sales opportunity is something Manatee County has never had before.
The community showed up and showed out on Friday, the atmosphere was electric. At no point in time did anyone whisper or shout, ‘what a waste of money’. This project supports the people of Manatee County with new and exciting opportunities and it’s being done in an area where the average yearly household income is around $70,000/yr. Thomas Jefferson regularly spoke about the need for local government to be the most robust, a republic, with leadership at state and national levels being less and less encroaching on the people. Federal governing systems keep power at the higher levels and out of the people’s hands, rules that impede local rule such as SB 180.
We are a republic in Manatee County with the people and our local leadership showcasing it by example. If someone from the other end of the state doesn’t agree with the decisions of the local people and its local elected officials, they will most likely be looking for new work next elections cycle. The people of Manatee County have spoken in a resonating voice, this is the people’s plot and we will not yield to bigotry. Our county has made course corrections to improve its path and is simply waiting for those who think themselves better and wiser than us to get out of our way. Be sure to take part and visit the new Mixon Farms location and support our county and all that is has to offer us.
Written by John Taylor
The Veranda View 