Episode 507: Marty [and Ralph] Loya of Growing with Sarah Farm - El Paso, TX. Reviving OLD + SUSTAINABLE Traditions. How Bodega Loya Brings Love to Build Community. The Evolution of Farm Tourism.

How does a family transform a 100-year-old cotton farm into a thriving, diversified hub of organic produce and community, all while honoring a deeply personal legacy?

In this incredibly moving episode of the JUSTIN AND THE [FOOD] ENTREPRENEURS Show, host Justin Bizzarro welcomes Marty Loya, affectionately known as "Bodega Loya," from Growing with Sarah Farm in Socorro, Texas. This is a powerful story of rebirth, resilience, and how the deepest losses can plant the seeds for the most profound growth.

Marty shares the farm's extraordinary evolution, a journey that began with a pivotal decision by her and her husband to move away from conventional cotton farming and embrace a more sustainable future. She reveals the powerful and poignant story behind the farm's name, "Growing with Sarah," a tribute to the baby they lost, whose memory now fuels their mission to nourish and grow their community.

This is a masterclass in scrappy, resourceful, and innovative farming. Discover how Marty and her husband leveraged grants to build their first high-tunnel greenhouse, a game-changer that allowed for year-round production. Learn about their journey of regenerating the soil with compost and chicken manure, and how they transformed the farm's historic adobe buildings into a vibrant community marketplace, complete with a coffee shop, local artist showcases, and artisan boutiques.

The conversation highlights a truly revolutionary approach to community outreach: the Mobile Bodega Loya. Hear the inspiring story of how they converted a trailer into a mobile farmer's market, taking fresh, organic produce directly into food deserts and underserved areas, and making it accessible through programs that offer 50% discounts for SNAP users.

For anyone who believes in the power of local food systems, this episode is an essential listen. It is a testament to the fact that you don't need hundreds of acres to make a massive impact. It’s a story about the power of partnership, the importance of community, and how one family's vision is creating a legacy of health, education, and hope that extends far beyond the farm gate.