Click here to listen to an interview with Brookshire Brothers Public Relations & Corporate Responsibility Manager Melissa Crager, Junior Master Gardener Program Specialist Lisa Whittlesey and Andrew Monaco, the voice of the Texas Aggies. 

As this year’s “Walk Sponsor,” Brookshire Brothers pledged to donate $25 to the charity of its choice for each time an Aggie player was walked at Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park. Over the course of the 2022 season, 171 Aggie players took to first base after drawing a walk by the opposing pitcher. On Friday, June 3, Brookshire Brothers presented a check to the Junior Master Gardener program for $4,275. 

The Junior Master Gardener (JMG) Program is an international youth gardening program operated by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service whose mission is to “Grow good kids by igniting a passion for learning, success and service through a unique gardening education.”

“As a grocery company, we obviously have a strong connection to the agricultural community. Brookshire Brothers recognizes that when students learn these critical skills at an early age, we all win,” said Melissa Crager, Public Relations & Corporate Responsibility Manager for Brookshire Brothers. “We are proud to partner with the JMG program and to help promote this beneficial program throughout the Brazos Valley and beyond.”

Growing and nourishing healthy children and communities is an integral part of the Junior Master Gardener program, which promotes academic achievement, community gardening, physical activity and family engagement.

The JMG program operates in-school, after-school and community youth organizations and encourages youth leadership development, personal pride and responsibility. By engaging in novel, “hands-on” garden-based learning experiences, children get their hands dirty, develop an appreciation for the environment and receive certification as Junior Master Gardeners.

“We are so grateful for to Brookshire Brothers for their support of the Junior Master Gardener program and plan to utilize these funds to support teacher and volunteer training to expand Junior Master Gardener programming in Texas schools,” said Lisa Whittlesey, Program Coordinator for Junior Master Gardener Program. “It is through these community partnerships that our program can continue to cultivate active learning and encourage healthy eating for Texas children.”