News and Events
Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County Expands Community Engagement by Sponsoring the Okeechobee Youth Livestock Show
March 12, 2025
The Tobacco Free Partnership (TFP) of Okeechobee County is proud to strengthen its community ties through a new partnership with the Okeechobee Youth Livestock Show (OYLS). As a 2025 sponsor, TFP is excited to support this cherished annual event, which runs alongside the Okeechobee County Fair each spring. With thousands of residents attending throughout the week, this sponsorship provides a unique opportunity to promote tobacco-free initiatives while celebrating local youth in agriculture.
As part of this partnership, representatives from TFP and Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Ambassadors were present at the event, engaging directly with attendees. Through one-on-one interactions, they educated community members about the importance of creating tobacco-free environments, shared resources such as the Quit Your Way program, and reinforced the mission of fostering healthier social norms.
About the Okeechobee Youth Livestock Show
Since 1969, the Okeechobee Youth Livestock Show, Inc. has provided a platform for young people to develop leadership, responsibility, and agricultural skills. This non-profit organization hosts its annual Livestock Show and Sale at the Okeechobee Agri-Civic Center every March. The weeklong event showcases livestock raised by approximately 300 local students, ages 5 to 18, through their 4-H and FFA projects. Throughout the fair, attendees can view a variety of animals, including rabbits, poultry, goats, beef cattle, steers, swine, and dairy cattle. The event concludes with an exciting livestock auction and contests in showmanship and herdsmanship, with exhibitors competing for the prestigious title of Grand Champion.
Pictured is Walker Smith with his show rabbit!
Committed to a Tobacco-Free Future
The Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County remains dedicated to creating a tobacco-free culture through youth advocacy, public education, and policy change. Guided by CDC Best Practices, the partnership focuses on reducing tobacco use and exposure in the community by supporting initiatives that promote healthier, smoke-free spaces.
TFP is facilitated by the QuitDoc Foundation. To learn more about the partnership or to get involved, visit www.quitdoc.com, tfp-okeechobee.org, or contact Tobacco Program Manager Courtney Moyett at cmoyett@quitdoc.com.
