Online groceries, virtual farms and everyday farm life on TikTok: rural farms in the 21st century

Smallies Micro Vegetables Farm combines the concept of small-scale intensive crop production with the cultivation of high-quality, nutrient-rich micro vegetables. The taste of their vegetables is highly concentrated, and their appearance is almost as if they were put together in a design program. They are also particularly high in vitamins and minerals – up to 30-40 times higher than a mature plant, depending on the variety. Smallies not only produces, but also educates, demonstrating the nutritional benefits of micro vegetables and the importance of sustainable farming.

The Village Cart Online Market is a unique platform that allows producers in Csongrád to sell their products directly to consumers, also making them available to the Budapest public, among others. The founder, Noémi Csorba’s family has decades of experience in growing vegetables, so the innovative idea can be accompanied by the necessary expertise. The company’s website offers fresh and seasonal products, and the aim is to encourage everyone to eat seasonal produce. This virtual space not only provides access to markets for rural farmers, but also gives buyers the opportunity to support local farmers directly. The Village Cart creates an online community where customers can meet and interact directly with producers.

Hope Farm is an initiative that promotes the principles of regenerative agriculture. By focusing on ecosystems, Hope Farm not only produces food, but also helps maintain soil life and biodiversity. The farm’s activities also include small animal breeding, herb cultivation and education focused on the spread of regenerative agriculture.

It is also important to mention that the couple running Hope Farm, Anna and Dávid, have managed to build such a strong presence on various social media platforms, most notably TikTok, that they are now considered among the most popular influencers in Hungary. They said they never wanted to be a TikTok trendsetter, they just had some time at the end of last season and figured why not? Since then, they have already produced videos that have been viewed by millions.

These initiatives are an excellent example of today’s rural economies looking for innovative methods and following innovative principles, where innovation, sustainability and online presence are key to success. They not only create products but also build communities, raise awareness, encourage responsible consumption and inspire the modernisation of rural life. They also demonstrate perfectly that changes in the agricultural sector are not only a necessity, but also an opportunity to create a more liveable and sustainable future.