There are plugins that keep chunks loaded. This, however, does not help when trying to keep crop farms operational when players log off or move far away. The reason for this is that random block ticks are sent only to blocks in chunks within server view distance from any logged-in player. The PlayerChunkMap manages these chunks.

An API extension should exist that can be used to mark a PlayerChunk as to remain "ticking" which would then make the PlayerChunkMap retain such PlayerChunk objects despite all players being removed from it. Resetting such property shall cause the PlayerChunk to be dropped from the PlayerChunkMap.