How it All Began

Alfred and Elfrida Erickson, Swedish emigrants, settled on the homestead that now comprises the farm in 1911. Lake Okeechobee was still a natural lake that afforded pristine views. The lake view has since been obstructed by the Herbert Hoover Dike, constructed as a result of the deadly hurricane of 1928.

With their four children (Eva, William, Karl & Floyd), the family began to farm the land. The youngest child, Floyd, was sent to the University of Florida and graduated with an agricultural degree in 1933.

Soon after graduation Floyd and his brother William began farming together. Together they grew vegetables such as tomatoes, squash, pepper, beans, and sweet corn. South Florida was an ideal location to raise these “winter vegetables” that were in high demand by the population of the Northern US.

Erickson Groves

Floyd (second generation) was inspired by one of his early teachers to learn about fruits grown around the world. He was intrigued by mangos and avocados and in 1961 decided to farm on his own land. He planted this land into groves of mango and avocado trees and called it Erickson Groves. In 1972 his youngest son, Dale, returned home from college to help with the farm responsibilities.

Lyn-Dale’s Fruit & Gifts, Inc.

In 1974, Dale (third generation) and his wife, Lynn, took over the mango production and started their own company, Lyn-Dale’s Fruit, Inc. They began to supply a hungry market with green mangos for pickling and ripe fruit mangos. The year 1955 brought changes with imports and plentiful cheap mangos across the country. When it became obvious the farm could no longer exist as before, Dale began to grow other tropical fruits and vegetables while his daughters worked on completing their educations. In 2000 Krista decided she wanted to continue the family business and joined Dale in managing daily operations.

Erickson Farm, Inc.

We began 2004 with a new name to reflect the current and future direction of the business. Some of these products are available for home delivery. Others, due to their extremely fragile nature, are only available at the farm market.

Erickson Farm is still guided by Dale, who now has active help from his two daughters.

Krista (fourth generation) is involved with daily operations and manages the order and shipping process. If you stop by you are likely to see Krista’s son, Brendan (fifth generation), who likes to help Grandpa build fences, help mom stack boxes, and sample all the exotic fruits that pass through the packing house.

Floyd passed away, but remains with us always in memory.

Kimberly (fourth generation) moved back to the farm in 2007 and manages marketing, information technology, and researches new opportunities.

We now have over a century of family and farm history right here in Canal Point!