About The Founder

Mike Smart: Author, Innovator, and Founder of Smart Farms

Mike Smart is an award-winning author, entrepreneur, and sustainability advocate, best known for creating the Bucket Buddies children's book series and founding Smart Farms LLC. His work bridges the gap between education, urban agriculture, and sustainability, empowering communities to grow their own food while inspiring young minds through engaging storytelling.

Mike recently received the International Impact Book Award for his contributions to children's literature and sustainability education. His book Bucket Buddies: The Importance of Pollinators also achieved Amazon Bestseller status, solidifying his role as a thought leader in urban farming and educational content for kids.

The Bucket Buddies series is a groundbreaking approach to teaching children about gardening, sustainability, and the importance of fresh food. Through relatable characters like Tommy Tomato, Basil Buddy, and Marigold Molly, Mike crafts stories that make agriculture fun, accessible, and engaging. The books cover crucial topics like pollinators, companion planting, and growing food indoors, making them perfect for homeschool curriculums and classroom learning.

Beyond books, Bucket Buddies is expanding into:

• Educational video content: Short animated clips featuring daily facts about plants and gardening.
• Homeschool curriculum: Printable worksheets that reinforce key lessons from the books.
• Merchandise & Brand Expansion: Character-driven products like Pepper Pete Hot Sauce and Tommy Tomato Sauce to build deeper engagement with kids and families.
• Web3 Integration: Through Meta-Builders, Mike is exploring digital collectibles, NFTs, and interactive experiences to engage modern audiences in new ways.

As the founder of Smart Farms LLC, Mike is on a mission to make sustainable food production accessible to everyone. Smart Farms specializes in indoor and vertical farming solutions, helping families and communities grow fresh food year-round, even in challenging climates like South Dakota.

Smart Farms' key initiatives include:

• The S.M.A.R.T F.A.R.M.S G.R.O.W.T.H Initiative – A structured approach to implementing sustainable urban farming solutions.
• Community outreach & education – Teaching people how to grow food efficiently with hydroponic and vertical gardening techniques.
• Supply chain research – Analyzing self-sufficient food production methods for staple crops like rice, coffee, and peanuts.

Mike’s influence extends beyond books and farming. He has:

• Co-founded and operated multiple businesses, including Meta-Builders, a Web3 service company.
• Sponsored major Web3 events like NFT NYC and co-produced a Grammy-nominated music NFT album with Arturo Sandoval.
• Helped curate NFT The Movie and collaborated with prominent figures in the NFT and hip-hop space.
• Hosted presidential hopeful Carla Ballard during a documentary interview at his Airbnb.
• Engaged in discussions with government officials, businesses, and investors to promote urban farming solutions.

Mike’s vision continues to evolve, with ambitious plans to:

• Expand the Bucket Buddies brand into animation and entertainment.
• Scale Smart Farms into a nationwide initiative to make sustainable food production mainstream.
• Pursue further book awards and maintain top Amazon rankings.

Through his writing, business ventures, and advocacy, Mike Smart is redefining what it means to be an author-entrepreneur, blending education, sustainability, and innovation to make a lasting impact on future generations.