Tag Archives: Okeechobee County

Cakes for a Cause

Cake auctions are a beloved tradition for County Farm Bureau events across Florida. Attendees donate desserts to be auctioned off, with proceeds benefiting local charities or community programs. These auctions showcase the counties’ creativity and generosity, with the excitement of friendly competition often fetching bids well into the thousands. By using desserts as a tool for giving, Florida Farm Bureau members unite in their efforts to support local programs and celebrate agriculture. 


Funds raised at Hernando/Citrus County’s annual meeting supported
Citrus County 4-H and the Hernando/Citrus Farm Bureau Women’s programs.

 


Bill Elrod of Elrod Auctions proudly donates his services as a professional auctioneer to run the cake auctions in Clay, Bradford and Putnam/St. Johns counties. Clay County’s cake auction proceeds are used for student scholarships. 

 


The Hamilton County Women’s Committee cake auction raised $2,750 to be split between the Women’s Fund and a local charity that will be determined by the Women’s Committee in December.

 

 
Highlands County auctioned off 17 cakes, resulting in a $1,300 donation to Highlands County 4-H. 

 


In Hillsborough County, annual meeting attendees raised money for their Young Farmers and Ranchers program. 

 


Indian River County’s cake auction funds scholarships to help local high schoolers interested in agriculture fund their college
expenses. 

 


Jefferson County raised money for youth agricultural activities to
promote a better understanding of where food comes from among
local students.
 

 


Marion County raised more than $2,300 for a local food bank.  

 


Okeechobee County raised a total of $3,250 for Real Life Children’s Ranch, a ministry that offers residential group homes with a family atmosphere for neglected children. It is one of the few group homes in Florida designed to care for groups of siblings. 

 


The Polk County Women’s Committee cake auction proceeds will be donated to Florida Agriculture in the Classroom, a non-profit organization that provides educational resources to help Pre-K through 12th grade educators incorporate agricultural concepts into their core subject area classes  

 


South Sumter High School students helped facilitate Sumter County’s cake auction to raise funds for their FFA Chapter.

 


Suwannee County Farm Bureau’s lively cake auction raised money for Vivid Visions, Inc.– a local crisis center founded in 1995 by Suwannee area residents to support survivors of domestic violence. 

 


Taylor County collected nearly $800, donations that will support youth agricultural programs. 

Thgenerosity of Florida Farm Bureau member bidders and bakers creates a lasting impact across our communities. We look forward to carrying on this tradition for years to come.  

Be the Voice. Live the Legacy

Mickey Bandi
Okeechobee County Farm Bureau President

Okeechobee County Farm Bureau President Mickey Bandi is proud to represent the farmers and ranchers in his community. “Agriculture is the largest industry in Okeechobee County,” he said.

“It’s very important to us to be part of organizations like Farm Bureau that look out for you.”

The Okeechobee County native grew up with a strong work ethic. His father was from Pennsylvania and tested experimental farm equipment for New Holland and his mother grew up on her family’s cattle farm in nearby Belle Glade.

He spent his summers as a child visiting Pennsylvania, growing hay and raising vegetables.

Today, Bandi lives in Okeechobee with his wife, Lori, and their two daughters, Lillie (11) and Alexis (Lexi) (7). Lori is a high school economics teacher and Mickey is the elected county property appraiser.

Both of their daughters hold an interest in agriculture, Lillie shows cattle and Lexi has a duck, affectionately named, Elvis.

Bandi graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in food and resource economics. He has been active in his county Farm Bureau serving as a board member for the last seven years and is currently serving his first year as president.

Bandi is proud of the annual Farm City-Week event, sponsored by the local Farm Bureau and held at the KOA Campground. “I’ve been involved in this event since I was in high school,” he said.

“FFA and 4-H kids set up booths, a speaker is invited to speak and a meal is served.” A local farmer or farm family is honored at the event and it provides an opportunity for the community to gather support for local farmers and youth agriculture.