Post-Agrarian Communities in Rural Areas of the Russian Federation: Features of Self-Organization and Promotion of Creative Practices

In their report, the authors rely on empirical materials collected during an expedition 09/2024 to the central regions of Russia. The collapse of agriculture, the gradual reduction and closure of schools, technical colleges, and medical points from 1991 to the mid-2010s, led to the outflow of the working-age population.

At present, the situation is such that a return to previous conditions is impossible on the one hand, while on the other, modern challenges require new development vectors for rural areas.

In their report, the authors present a case that demonstrates the formation of new types of communities in rural areas that not only encompass rural localities but also extend into urban environments. By establishing a direct, mutually beneficial dialogue with municipal authorities and large and medium-sized farms, they are gradually starting to defend their own interests. In our case, these are beekeepers from Gorodets (a city in the Nizhny Novgorod region), who have united and gained the opportunity to influence crop rotation practices not only in the interests of farmers but also in the interests of beekeepers, lobbying for the planting of crops that contribute to the collection of quality honey harvests.

The local beekeepers developed a unique design and form of the Gorodets hive, patented it, and are promoting their brand within the Russian Beekeepers Union. By maintaining connections with the unique "Beekeeping" Research Institute, the initiative group of Gorodets beekeepers has the opportunity to learn about new technologies and demands, which allows them to establish the production of dietary supplements, cosmetic products, and items for apitherapy. A domestic tourism program is being developed with a new offer — comprehensive human health improvement through proximity to a beehive in specially constructed "api-houses."

The results presented in the report were obtained with the support of the Russian Science Foundation 24-68-00055