Brookshire Brothers proudly salutes this year’s Texas Family Land Heritage honorees. Each year the Texas Department of Agriculture honors farmers and ranchers who have worked their family land for more than 100 years. Brookshire Brothers is a Platinum sponsor of the program that culminates with a ceremony at the Texas State Capitol’s House Chambers.
On November 6th, Brookshire Brothers and State Representative Trent Ashby – R-Lufkin, hosted a reception and VIP tour for the honorees from some of the market areas where Brookshire Brothers has stores. Included in the celebration were the Thelma Schatte and Louis T. Schatte, Jr. family from Giddings.
The 104 years-old Louis T. and Thelma Schatte Family Farm has been in continuous Schatte family land ownership and agriculture production since 1910, when J.C. Schatte purchased the 235 acre farm 5 miles south of Giddings. Louis T. Schatte, Jr. continues the proud heritage and the agricultural tradition by ranching the land, raising cattle and coastal Bermuda hay.
In recognizing its customers prior to the statewide recognition ceremony in Austin, Brookshire Brothers President and CEO Jerry Johnson said, “The stories of the Lone Star State’s farmers and ranchers are the stories of Texas. Year in and year out they do what it takes to produce the best food and fiber in the world. As a Texas-based, home grown grocer, that’s important to us. We celebrate these amazing families and their century old commitment to their land.”
These families join an elite group of hard working Texans as Family Land Heritage recipients. Commissioner of Agriculture Todd Staples presented each with a plaque and certificate at the event in the House Chamber on November 6th An historic and current picture of the family will hang in the Brookshire Brothers in Giddings.
Founded in 1921, Brookshire Brothers is 100% employee-owned. Its assets include 149 retail outlets incorporating grocery stores, convenience stores, as well as free standing pharmacy, tobacco and petro locations. Its market stretches east to Lake Charles, Louisiana, west to Wimberley, Texas, north to Whitesboro, Texas, and south to Ganado, Texas.
Pictured at the State Capitol prior to the award ceremony (left to right) are Sharon Schatte Birkelbach, Suzanna Schatte Carter, Louis T. Schatte Jr., Caleb Zammit, Hang Nguyen Zammit, Thelma Schatte, Luke Schatte, David Schatte, CEO Jerry Johnson and District Director Luke Gustafson of Brookshire Brothers.
Pictured at the State Capitol prior to the award ceremony are Chris and Jayanna Davis’ family, CEO Jerry Johnson and Store Director Gene Brown. The Davis family has owned the Holcomb Farm for 117 years in Cherokee County. Their picture will hang in Brookshire Brothers’ Rusk location.
Pictured at the State Capitol prior to the award ceremony are Nancy Evans and her family. The Evans family has owned the Bar E Farm for 106 years in Trinity County. Their picture will hang in Brookshire Brothers’ Groveton location.
Pictured at the State Capitol prior to the award ceremony are Kenneth and Vera Gerstenberg’s family, CEO Jerry Johnson and Store Director Sharlyn Feathers. The Gerstenberg family has owned the Gerstenberg Farm for 106 years in Bell County. Their picture will hang in Brookshire Brothers’ Salado location.
Pictured at the State Capitol prior to the award ceremony are Sylvia and Don Groce’s family, Larry and Shannon Maresh’s family, CEO Jerry Johnson and Store Director David Gilbert. The Groce family has owned G4 Ranch for 107 years in Burleson County. The Maresh Family has owned Maresh Farms for 107 years in Burleson County. Both families’ photos will hang in Brookshire Brothers’ Caldwell location.
Pictured at the State Capitol prior to the award ceremony are Zela Hodges’ family and CEO Jerry Johnson. The Hodges family has owned The King’s Highway Ranch for 101 years in Leon County. Their picture will hang in Brookshire Brothers’ Buffalo location.
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Pictured at the State Capitol prior to the award ceremony are Lorenz Mazurkiewicz’ family. The Mazurkiewicz family has owned The Lorenz Mazurkiewicz Homestead for 101 years in Washington County. Their picture will hang in Brookshire Brothers’ Brenham location.
Pictured at the State Capitol prior to the award ceremony are the Mazurkiewicz’ family and Store Director David Gilbert. The Mazurkiewicz family has owned The Mazurkiewicz Farm for 101 years in Washington County. Their picture will hang in Brookshire Brothers’ Brenham location.
Pictured at the State Capitol prior to the award ceremony are Michael and Chris Massey’s family, CEO Jerry Johnson and District Director Kent Pursley. The Massey family has owned Massey Home Site for 154 years in Hood County. Their picture will hang in Brookshire Brothers’ Acton location.
Pictured at the State Capitol prior to the award ceremony are Barbara and Pat Pesek’s family, CEO Jerry Johnson and Store Director Kenneth Moore. The Pesek family has owned the Kallus/Pesek for 119 years in Lavaca County. Their picture will hang in Brookshire Brothers’ Hallettsville location.
Pictured at the State Capitol prior to the award ceremony are Trae and Georgia Trevathan, their daughter, CEO Jerry Johnson and Store Director Scott Berger. The Trevathan family has owned the John Moseley Long Farm for 101 years in Cherokee County. Their picture will hang in Brookshire Brothers’ Lufkin location where Trae used to work.
Pictured at the State Capitol prior to the award ceremony are Lynette and Oliver Weishuhn’s family, CEO Jerry Johnson and Store Director Alex Drozd. The Weishuhn family has owned both Circle W Ranch Bernardo and Circle W Ranch Frelsburg for 135 years in Colorado County. Their picture will hang in Brookshire Brothers’ Columbus and Eagle Lake locations.
Brookshire Brothers also honored Knellen and Simon Quinteros. The Quinteros family has owned 4-Q-Farm for 143 years in Austin County. Their photo will hang in Brookshire Brothers’ Brenham location.