Who is Alfie Oakes? All about the 'Seed to Table' Florida farmer and Trump associate whose home was raided by federal agents
Alfie Oakes, a well-known Collier County businessman, divisive conservative activist, and Trump supporter's house was recently raided by several law enforcement agencies. On November 7, NBC reported that on Thursday morning, police officers were observed entering and exiting Oakes' home on Santa Cruz Court in North Naples and his agricultural packing facility in Immokalee.
Federal Defense Criminal Investigative Service officials were also seen visiting the packing facility. On Thursday, they began showing up at his North Naples house and were there for a few hours before departing shortly before 4 pm.
Francis Alfred Oakes III, or Alfie Oakes, is a Southwest Florida-based American farmer, businessman, political influencer, and agricultural entrepreneur. Based in Immokalee, Florida, he is the founder and CEO of Oakes Farms, an agribusiness that grows, packages, distributes, and sells fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural goods.
Alfie Oakes was a politician-cum-gardener-cum- businessman
Alfie Oakes is the proprietor of Oakes Farm and Seed to Table store and a conservative political figure. He most recently served as a Republican State Committeeman for Collier County. He also showed support for COVID-19 conspiracy theories and criticized the media and the Black Lives Matter movement.
He further represents Turning Point USA as an ambassador. In addition, he owns Thoughtful Threads, Food & Thought, and Fruit Dynamics. Additionally, from 2020 to 2024, Alfie Oakes served as a Republican Party of Florida State Committee for Collier County.
Additionally, he publicly endorsed Donald Trump and hosted multiple events supporting President Trump's reelection at his Seed To Table store in North Naples during the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
Furthermore, as per Naples Daily News's June 16 report, Alfie Oakes also put up placards endorsing Republican Byron Donalds' candidacy at his Seed To Table store and supported his election to Congress. In the same year, Oakes was chosen to serve as a Collier County Republican Party Committeeman.
However, despite having already indicated his intention to seek re-election, he was deemed ineligible on June 14, 2024, after filing his candidate-qualifying documents after the noon deadline.
Additionally, as per Naples News’ November 7 report, Seed to Table is half grocery store, half bakery, part butcher shop, and part bar. The $30 million chain of stores also serves as a gathering place for a growing number of Republicans who support the idea of "Make America Great Again" and a draw for local foodies.
Now, recently Alfie Oakes' house was raided by the authorities. According to the WINK news broadcast from November 7, he was at his packing shop when the outlet's van pulled up.
As per the same publication, he exclaimed, "Go Trump!" as he departed the property in his blue Range Rover, which featured the "Trump 2024" sticker on the passenger door and the words "Save America" on the quarter panel.
When asked by the news outlet what the authorities were doing at the scene, he replied that he was not sure.
Meanwhile, dashcam footage captured the officials preparing themselves with gloves and reams of paper, as well as a large number of unmarked cars arriving at the facility. At both investigative locations, the Florida Highway Patrol was also present.
On the other hand, on November 7, John Meo, the chair of the Republican Executive Committee for Collier County, spoke with Naples Daily News regarding the raid and said:
“We know they showed up and took some material. It's kind of funny that they're doing it now. I think they want to get info on January 6.”
Nevertheless, it is still unclear why the federal agents and other agencies raided the house of the Trump supporter.