A New Era of Florida Grapefruit
With over 700 acres of premium citrus cultivated by the Mixon family, they are dedicated to bringing quality citrus, including the renowned Ruby grapefruit, back to Florida.
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Rooted in Farming. Innovating for the Future.
For Jerry and Keith Mixon, farming is more than a business — it is a family legacy known as the Mixon Family Citrus. With decades of experience in Florida agriculture, they have helped grow and adapt operations across both citrus and berries. Their work with premium citrus, particularly the Ruby grapefruit, continues that legacy, combining generations of farming knowledge with forward-thinking innovation to help protect and strengthen the future of Florida citrus.
Meet the Team
Jerry Mixon
Jerry Mixon
Jerry Mixon
Jerry Mixon is a principal owner of the Mixon Family Citrus enterprise and a longtime Florida agricultural leader with more than three decades of experience in fresh produce, farm operations, and citrus production. Jerry helped co-own and lead SunnyRidge Farm alongside his brothers, serving as Director of Farm Production across Florida, t
Jerry Mixon is a principal owner of the Mixon Family Citrus enterprise and a longtime Florida agricultural leader with more than three decades of experience in fresh produce, farm operations, and citrus production. Jerry helped co-own and lead SunnyRidge Farm alongside his brothers, serving as Director of Farm Production across Florida, the Southeast, and Mexico before later serving as Director of Berry Operations for Dole Food Company. Today, as owner and operator of KLM and 6M Farms, Jerry has returned to his citrus roots through a major investment in Citrus Under Protective Screens, developed in collaboration with UF/IFAS. His leadership reflects a lifelong commitment to production excellence, innovation, and building a lasting agricultural legacy for the next generation of the Mixon family.
Keith Mixon
Jerry Mixon
Jerry Mixon
Keith Mixon is a principal owner of the Mixon Family Citrus enterprise and a Florida agricultural entrepreneur dedicated to advancing the next generation of premium citrus production. With deep roots in Polk County and extensive experience in the Florida blueberry industry through SunnyRidge Farm, Keith combines production knowledge with
Keith Mixon is a principal owner of the Mixon Family Citrus enterprise and a Florida agricultural entrepreneur dedicated to advancing the next generation of premium citrus production. With deep roots in Polk County and extensive experience in the Florida blueberry industry through SunnyRidge Farm, Keith combines production knowledge with specialty crop experience, operational discipline, and fresh-market strategy. Currently, he is at the forefront of one of Florida’s most significant investments in CUPS, working to position Florida grapefruit, particularly the Ruby grapefruit, as a premium, consistent, and commercially scalable fresh fruit for today’s produce market.
Ed Leotti
Jerry Mixon
Shane Bevilacqua
Ed Leotti brings decades of citrus leadership and operational experience to the Mixon Family Citrus CUPS growing program. As the former COO of Tamiami Citrus, Ed has successfully managed large-scale citrus production during some of the industry’s most challenging and transformative years. Today, he applies that experience to Citrus Under
Ed Leotti brings decades of citrus leadership and operational experience to the Mixon Family Citrus CUPS growing program. As the former COO of Tamiami Citrus, Ed has successfully managed large-scale citrus production during some of the industry’s most challenging and transformative years. Today, he applies that experience to Citrus Under Protective Screens, helping to guide production systems that focus on tree health, fruit quality, consistency, and the long-term sustainability of premium citrus, including the renowned Ruby grapefruit.
Shane Bevilacqua
Shane Bevilacqua
Shane Bevilacqua brings a background in sales, business development, and farm operations to the Mixon Family Citrus agricultural enterprise. Today, he helps manage day-to-day grove operations and production, focusing on cultivating premium citrus. Shane also co-owns Golden Ridge Groves with Katie, where he connects consumers to Florida ag
Shane Bevilacqua brings a background in sales, business development, and farm operations to the Mixon Family Citrus agricultural enterprise. Today, he helps manage day-to-day grove operations and production, focusing on cultivating premium citrus. Shane also co-owns Golden Ridge Groves with Katie, where he connects consumers to Florida agriculture through agritourism, education, and hands-on farm experiences, including the renowned Ruby grapefruit. His blend of business experience and farm management supports the broader mission of growing premium citrus while sharing the story of modern Florida agriculture.
Katie Bevilacqua
Katie Bevilacqua
Katie Bevilacqua brings a background in marketing, operations, and agritourism development to the broader Mixon Family Citrus agricultural enterprise. As co-owner of the agritourism side of the business with Shane, Katie helps connect Florida agriculture with consumers through storytelling, guest experiences, education, and brand developm
Katie Bevilacqua brings a background in marketing, operations, and agritourism development to the broader Mixon Family Citrus agricultural enterprise. As co-owner of the agritourism side of the business with Shane, Katie helps connect Florida agriculture with consumers through storytelling, guest experiences, education, and brand development. Her work supports the effort to make modern citrus production, including premium citrus varieties like Ruby grapefruit, more approachable and meaningful to the public while helping share the family’s commitment to quality, innovation, and the future of Florida farming.
Sam Mixon
Katie Bevilacqua
Sam Mixon, Operations Manager for Mixon Family Farms, has a diverse background in business development and project management. In his role, he coordinates and oversees farming operations, production, and construction, ensuring the delivery of premium citrus products. He is proud to contribute to the future of Florida’s citrus industry, in
Sam Mixon, Operations Manager for Mixon Family Farms, has a diverse background in business development and project management. In his role, he coordinates and oversees farming operations, production, and construction, ensuring the delivery of premium citrus products. He is proud to contribute to the future of Florida’s citrus industry, including the cultivation of Ruby grapefruit, while carrying forward the values his family has built within Florida agriculture over generations.
Will Givens
Sean Brantley
Sean Brantley
Will Givens brings a background in leadership, operations, and strategic planning to the Mixon Family Citrus agricultural enterprise. Raised on his family’s fourth-generation cow-calf operation in western Oklahoma, he developed an early appreciation for production agriculture and the challenges facing agricultural businesses. Following hi
Will Givens brings a background in leadership, operations, and strategic planning to the Mixon Family Citrus agricultural enterprise. Raised on his family’s fourth-generation cow-calf operation in western Oklahoma, he developed an early appreciation for production agriculture and the challenges facing agricultural businesses. Following his service as a U.S. Navy submarine officer and the completion of his MBA at the University of Memphis, Will joined Mixon Family Farms, where he supports citrus production, including the cultivation of premium citrus like Ruby grapefruit, and farm operations. His experience in operational leadership, project management, and continuous improvement underpins the company’s commitment to innovation, efficiency, and the future of Florida citrus production.
Sean Brantley
Sean Brantley
Sean Brantley
Sean Brantley has worked with the Mixon family for more than 10 years, bringing hands-on experience across CUPS construction, structure maintenance, and premium citrus production. His work is crucial for the protected growing system's efficiency, from building and maintaining screen structures to supporting day-to-day grove production of
Sean Brantley has worked with the Mixon family for more than 10 years, bringing hands-on experience across CUPS construction, structure maintenance, and premium citrus production. His work is crucial for the protected growing system's efficiency, from building and maintaining screen structures to supporting day-to-day grove production of their renowned Mixon Family Citrus, including the popular Ruby grapefruit. Sean’s practical knowledge, reliability, and experience in the field help ensure the quality and consistency of the Mixon family’s CUPS-grown citrus program.