New Hall of Fame Status for Three Florida Blueberry Trailblazers
August 2, 2024 The Florida Blueberry Growers Association (FBGA) has officially announced the induction of three more standout industry influencers into its Hall of Fame. The FBGA Hall of Fame Class of 2024 includes grower Gerald Mixon along with a pair of UF/IFAS researchers, David Norden and Jeffrey G. Williamson.
Mixon was the founder of SunnyRidge Farms in Winter Haven, FL. He built it into one of the top fresh blueberry companies in the U.S. In 2011, Dole acquired SunnyRidge.
Of special note: Mixon discovered highbush blueberries could be profitably grown in Central Florida utilizing a growing medium of pine bark. Mixon also is a member of the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame (Class of 2011). Mixon is recognized in the industry as a major reason for exceptional growth that occurred from 1990-2009.
Norden is a retired Research Coordinator for the University of Florida. He worked multiple decades in the breeding program, playing a key role in the release of many varieties. Norden continued to manage the recurrent selection breeding program until his retirement in 2019. Advanced selections made by him will continue to be evaluated as potential new varieties throughout the next decade.
UF/IFAS Professor Williamson is a leading researcher in small fruit horticulture and improving efficiency of small fruit production practices. He continues to be a main source of information for blueberry growers and contributes to educational programming for FBGA meetings.
The FBGA Hall of Fame Committee released the following statement: “We are honored to welcome these exceptional individuals into the Florida Blueberry Growers Association’s Hall of Fame. Their passion, resilience, and leadership have significantly advanced our industry. This induction is a recognition of their lasting impact and an inspiration for future generations of blueberry growers.”
The Class of 2024 will be celebrated and inducted during FBGA’s Hall of Fame Banquet, scheduled for Oct. 23, 2024 at Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland, FL.
For more information and to register for the event, visit floridablueberrygrowers.org.
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