History of Alfie Oakes in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 9, 2024

Francis Alfred "Alfie" Oakes III is an American agricultural entrepreneur, businessman, and political figure from Southwest Florida. He is the founder and CEO of Oakes Farms, a large agribusiness operating in Immokalee. Oakes also owns several other businesses, including Fruit Dynamics, Food & Thought, and Thoughtful Threads. Beyond his business ventures, Oakes has been involved in politics, serving as a Republican State Committeeman for Collier County, Florida, from 2020-2024. He gained notoriety for his outspoken political views, including strong support for Donald Trump and criticism of Black Lives Matter, the media, and promotion of COVID-19 conspiracy theories. His political involvement extended to a role as ambassador for Turning Point USA. Despite his Republican affiliation and role as Committeeman, Oakes was later disqualified from running for Committeeman in 2024.

June 16, 1968: Birth of Francis Alfred Oakes III

Francis Alfred Oakes III was born on June 16, 1968, in Delaware City, Delaware.

1989: Crop Destruction and Relocation to Texas

In 1989, Alfie Oakes' crops were destroyed by a freeze, leading him to relocate to Western Texas to sell watermelons.

1994: Founding of Oakes Farms Market

Alfie Oakes and his father, Frank Oakes, founded Oakes Farms Market in Naples, Florida, in 1994.

2005: Frank Oakes Leaves Oakes Farms

Alfie Oakes' father, Frank Oakes, left Oakes Farms in 2005 to start his own organic farm and store.

2014: Fruit Dynamics Raid

In 2014, Fruit Dynamics, owned by Alfie Oakes, was raided by authorities, leading to the arrest of numerous undocumented workers for fraud. Oakes denied knowledge of their status.

2014: Oakes Farms Expands into Aquaculture

Oakes Farms expanded its operations to include aquaculture in 2014.

2015: Oakes Farms Adds Egg-Producing Chickens

In 2015, Oakes Farms added egg-producing chickens to its agricultural operations.

2016: Comments on Undocumented Workers

In 2016, Alfie Oakes made comments about the prevalence of undocumented workers in the agricultural industry and the potential impact of their removal on the workforce.

2018: Lawsuit with C-Squared Farms

In 2018, Oakes Farms was sued by C-Squared Farms for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) and breach of contract. Oakes Farms ultimately prevailed on its counterclaims for breach of contract.

2018: $46 Million Contract with Department of Defense

Oakes Farms secured a $46 million contract with the Department of Defense to provide food in 2018.

December 2019: Opening of Seed To Table Supermarket

Oakes Farms opened a 74,000-square-foot supermarket called Seed To Table in North Naples, Florida, in December 2019.

2020: Elected as Collier County Republican State Committeeman

Alfie Oakes was elected to represent Collier County as a State Committeeman for the Republican Party of Florida in 2020.

2020: Support for Donald Trump and Byron Donalds

In 2020, Alfie Oakes actively supported Donald Trump's re-election campaign and endorsed Byron Donalds' congressional election.

2020: Lawsuits and Controversies

In 2020, Alfie Oakes faced lawsuits and controversies related to his criticism of the government's COVID-19 response, Black Lives Matter, and George Floyd, leading to severed ties with school districts and legal battles with Collier County over mask mandates.

2020: Alfie Oakes Becomes Republican State Committeeman

In 2020, Alfie Oakes was elected as a State Committeeman for the Republican Party of Florida, representing Collier County.

2020: $70 Million Contract with Trump Administration

Oakes Farms was awarded a $70 million contract by the Trump Administration for food box distribution in 2020.

January 6, 2021: Support for January 6th Capitol Protest

Alfie Oakes supported the January 6, 2021 protest at the United States Capitol and helped organize a group of local protestors to travel there.

May 2021: Oakes Steps Down from Oakes Farms Food & Distribution Services

Alfie Oakes stepped down from Oakes Farms Food & Distribution Services and transitioned the company to employee ownership in May 2021.

2021: Legal Battles Continue

In 2021, the legal battles involving Alfie Oakes continued, including the dismissal of some of his claims against Collier County's mask mandate and a lawsuit against Lee County Schools.