WINTER HAVEN, Fla, — The Mixon Family, known for their success in Florida’s blueberry industry with the creation of SunnyRidge Farms, are making a bold return to their citrus roots. They’ve announced the hiring of industry veteran Ed Leotti, former COO of Tamiami Citrus LLC, as Vice President of Production to lead their expansion into Citrus Under Protective Screening (CUPS) farming.
Building on their legacy of agricultural innovation, the Mixon brothers—Jerry and Keith Mixon—are channeling decades of expertise into doing their part in revitalizing Florida’s citrus industry, a sector hard-hit by citrus greening (HLB). Their ambitious efforts focus on scaling their cutting-edge solutions to large scale Citrus Under Protective Screening (CUPS) projects including building methods and materials, disease management and production management. All with the mission to produce beautiful great tasting citrus from Florida that delights consumers and ensures long-term sustainability for Florida growers.
“Citrus has always been at the heart of Florida’s agricultural identity, and we’re committed to doing our part in restoring it to greatness,” said Keith Mixon. “With Ed Leotti’s expertise in grove operations and his proven ability to drive results through innovation, we’re assembling a team that can tackle our vision of efficiently producing Beautiful and Great tasting Florida citrus”.
Leotti, a respected leader in the citrus industry, brings years of experience developing and managing large-scale operations as well as collaborating with researchers on groundbreaking solutions to production challenges. Throughout his career he has spearheaded efforts to adopt advanced grove management strategies that maximizes production and fruit quality. These initiatives have set new standards for grove sustainability and productivity.
“I’m honored to join the Mixon brothers in this mission,” said Leotti. “Their history of pioneering success at SunnyRidge Farms and their commitment to innovative solutions like CUPS align perfectly with my passion for advancing Florida’s citrus industry. Together, we aim to redefine what’s possible for Florida growers.”
The Mixon brothers’ return to citrus marks a renewed commitment to collaboration with industry stakeholders, including researchers, growers, and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). As a leader in citrus innovation, UF/IFAS has pioneered advancements throughout the Citrus Industry and have been first adopters of CUPS research. By integrating these innovations into their operations, the Mixon brothers aim to establish a sustainable production model that can serve as a blueprint for citrus growers across Florida.
“Florida growers are resilient, and with the right tools and leadership, we can meet the challenges facing citrus head-on,” said Jerry Mixon. “We see CUPS as a critical part of the solution, and with Ed’s leadership in grove production, we’re confident we can pave the way for a brighter future.”
The Mixon brothers’ efforts signal a renewed optimism for Florida citrus, blending their legacy of agricultural excellence with cutting-edge technology and top-tier leadership.
provided by MIXON BROTHERS
