![](threefold__farming_.png)

# ThreeFold Farming

![](threefold__grid_new_.png)

ThreeFold Farming ("Farming") is the process of connecting Internet capacity to the ThreeFold Grid. This process is undertaken by independent people or organization called ThreeFold Farmers ("Farmers").

## What is Farming?


Farming is the process of adding Internet capacity (compute, storage and network) to the ThreeFold Grid. 

ThreeFold uses a proof-of-blockstake consensus mechanism. By running [Zero-OS](/tfgrid/farming/threefold__zos) on their hardware, Farmers dedicate the computation power and storage capacity of their node to the network, enabling anyone to host data and run IT workloads on a decentralized Internet infrastructure.

![](threefold__circular_tft3_.jpg ':size=500')

In decentralized systems like ThreeFold, we need to ensure that evereyone is able to provide Internet capacity to the world. Farmers help this happen by connecting hardware that run [Zero-OS](/tfgrid/farming/threefold__zos). Once booted, the hardware is locked to generate Internet capacity for the network. The capacity is registered on [TFChain](/tfgrid/farming/threefold__tfchain), securing access to a decentralized Internet for users and rewarding farmers with [TFT](/tfgrid/farming/threefold__threefold_token).

<!-- 

Farmers make this happen by recording the Internet capacity they make available to the network 

Farmers connect hardware called [3Nodes](/tfgrid/farming/threefold__3node) to provide Internet Capacity and are consequently rewarded with ThreeFold Token (“[TFT](/tfgrid/farming/threefold__threefold_token)”). The [3Node](/tfgrid/farming/threefold__3node) can be installed at home or any location where existing internet connectivity is available. Every month that the [3Node](/tfgrid/farming/threefold__3node) is up and running and connected to the internet, Farmers receive [TFT](/tfgrid/farming/threefold__threefold_token). 
 
Everyone in the world can now use this Compute, Storage, and Network Capacity to deploy apps onto these [3Nodes](/tfgrid/farming/threefold__3node) instead of using centralized datacenters.  -->


| Utility Token model                          |                                            |
| -------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| [Proof Of Capacity](/tfgrid/farming/threefold__proof_of_capacity)       | Farming (creation) of TFT                  |
| [Proof Of Utilization](/tfgrid/farming/threefold__proof_of_utilization) | Utilization (burning, distribution) of TFT |

## Who can become a farmer on ThreeFold?

Technically, anyone can farm on the ThreeFold Grid using any server-type hardware. By using [Proof-of-Capacity](/tfgrid/farming/threefold__proof_of_capacity), farming was designed to reward all nodes equally according to the Internt capacity they provide to the ThreeFold Grid. 

## Cost of farming 

Anyone can become a Farmer, and there is no technical knowledge required. ThreeFold's autonomous system does all the heavy lifting, making it easy for anyone to join.

- Potential costs of the hardware necessary to provide Internet capacity and maintain a farming setup.
- -Electrical costs to power the farm.
- Potential cost of equipment to support larger farming setups such as data centers (ventilation, monitoring, electrical wiring, etc). 

To further explore farming rewards, click [here](/tfgrid/farming/threefold__farming_reward). 

## How ThreeFold Internet capacity is farmed?

1. A farmer provides Internet capacity by booting compatible hardware with [Zero-OS](/tfgrid/farming/threefold__zos). 
2. Once installed, [Zero-OS](/tfgrid/farming/threefold__zos) locks the hardware and registers the Internet capacity in [TFChain](/tfgrid/farming/threefold__tfchain). 
3. Once verified by the [Proof-of-Capacity](/tfgrid/farming/threefold__proof_of_capacity) algorythm, the Internet capacity is made available to the network via the explorer. 

> Note: All the compute and storage data remains off-chain in order to protect the privacy of users. Once [Zero-OS](/tfgrid/farming/threefold__zos) is booted, the device is locked in such a way that it no longer has any state or remote access, preventing farmers to access user data on a hardware level as well. 

## What kind of hardware can become a 3Node?

Any Intel or AMD server type hardware that contains compute and/ or storage can be connected to the ThreeFold Grid. Farmers need to download [Zero-OS](/tfgrid/farming/threefold__zos) and boot their hardware.

Learn more [here](/tfgrid/farming/threefold__farming_hardware_overview)

Once booted by Zero OS, the hardware becomes a [3Node](/tfgrid/farming/threefold__3node), and its total capacity will automatically be detected and registered on the blockchain database. We call this [Proof-of-Capacity](/tfgrid/farming/threefold__proof_of_capacity).

Learn more about [Proof-of-Capacity](/tfgrid/farming/threefold__proof_of_capacity) [here](/tfgrid/farming/threefold__proof_of_capacity)

<!-- ## Why becoming a Farmer?

### Internet and Its Global Demand 

The Internet represents the largest economy in the world and is growing at a rapid pace.

![](threefold__token_time_to_get_involved_now_.jpg)

The ThreeFold Grid offers the most scaleable, secure and sustainable infrastructure to supply the increasing Internet demand. 

Learn more about the ThreeFold Grid [here](/tfgrid/farming/threefold__grid_home).

### Sovereign and Recurrent Wealth 

By participating in the expansion of the ThreeFold Grid, Farmers earn [TFT](/tfgrid/farming/threefold__threefold_token) on a monthly basis. ThreeFold Token has value - it represents a unit of reservation of Internet Capacity on the ThreeFold Grid. With the infinite expansion of the ThreeFold Grid and the scarcity of mechanism of the [TFT](/tfgrid/farming/threefold__threefold_token), there will be a constant increase in demand while a decrease in supply, thus providing value of its holders/Farmers. 

Learn more about Farming Rewards [here](/tfgrid/farming/threefold__farming_reward). -->