Farmer Network

Definition ∞ A Farmer Network comprises participants who allocate storage space to validate transactions and earn rewards in certain blockchain systems. These networks operate within blockchain protocols that utilize Proof of Space and Time consensus, where individuals or entities dedicate unused disk storage to store cryptographic “plots.” Participants then “farm” these plots to find winning solutions, thereby verifying transactions and securing the network. Rewards are distributed to successful farmers for their contributions to network integrity.
Context ∞ The emergence of farmer networks, notably in protocols like Chia, introduced a distinct approach to blockchain consensus, contrasting with energy-intensive Proof of Work. News coverage often addresses the environmental implications and hardware requirements associated with this storage-based validation method. The scalability and decentralization properties of these networks remain a subject of ongoing technical discussion.