Bridge Builder:
Leon Loza Jr., Owner, Loza Farms

“By working hard and always looking forward, our parents were able to accomplish what many people only dream about,” Junior states. “They were able to not only do that, but keep their family, tight and close knit.”
-Leon Loza Jr. (Junior)

Junior Loza’s family arrived in Wapato, Washington from their native Mexico in 1976. His father was just 17 years old at the time, his mother even younger.  Neither knew any English when they arrived and they had very little money. They began working at a local hop farm in Wapato where they would raise their family over the next thirty years. 

Junior and his three siblings grew up on the farm and eventually began farming the hops alongside their parents. In 2006, the Loza family had the opportunity to buy the farm and renamed it Loza Family Farms. 
“By working hard and always looking forward, my parents were to accomplish what many people only dream about,” Junior shared. “Not only were they able to accomplish their dreams of owning their own farm, but they kept their family tight and close knit through the journey.”

Today Loza Family Farms grows over 300 acres of hops and nearly 10 different varieties.  Junior hopes to honor his parents’ legacy at Loza Family Farms for the foreseeable future. 

​“There is an incredible feeling of accomplishment to be able to grow an 18 foot crop in a few short months,” shared Junior. “I hope to expand this legacy that my parents started. I want Loza Family Farms to be better than when we started farming it. I want to make our business sustainable with the hopes that our children can continue to run their own family business.”

The Loza Family hop farm continues to grow in size each year and is committed to producing the highest quality of hop varieties in the Yakima Valley. Junior’s passion for his family and farm is undeniable. Not only is the Loza family bringing cultural diversity to the craft beer industry but they hope they can be a source of inspiration for others. 

Chicano-Owned

“Hopefully with what we're doing is opening a few doors to the possibilities that anyone can do this,” states Jr. “And show our children that, if their grandparents with little they had, were able to accomplish this with the opportunity that they were given, they will be able to accomplish great things.”

Keep Moving Forward

“I want to show people that the American dream is still viable, that with a little bit of hard work, luck and family, you can accomplish a lot of things,” shares Junior. I want to show our children how much their grandparents were able to accomplish, even though they started with so little. My parents worked so hard. They took the opportunity that they were given and they will be able to accomplish great things.” 

Junior continued, “My dream for me and for my family is to continue to grow our farm. Right now, as far as we know, we are the only Chicano-owned hop farm. I don't think it will be like that forever. Hopefully Loza Farms will inspire others and show them the possibility that anyone can do this.” 
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When asked if he had any advice for others, Junior stated “whatever you're thinking about doing, be willing to grow and to evolve with your everyday situations. You cannot be afraid to try something new. You have to keep moving forward."
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​For more information on Loza Farms, follow their company on social media @lozafarms