The University of Wisconsin's Healthy Farmers, Healthy Profits Project is devoted to helping small farmers improve the efficiency of their businesses. Their research on a new strap-on garden stool is helping to change the face of farming and gardening.

Recently, the University of Wisconsin's Healthy Farmers, Healthy Profits Project began research on an ultra-efficient farming tool. The "Port-a-stool" or "Texas milking stool," is manufactured by Dutch manufactures Kruuse, and was originally designed for milking cows. The idea was to introduce the stool to small scale vegetable farmers to increase their efficiency in maintenance and harvest of their crops.

The results were surprising. The University asked Tim Powers of Hastings, Minnesota to try the product for a short time and he was so convinced of the benefits of using the stool that he bought three for his nursery. His workers are now happier, healthier and work much faster.

The Port-a-stool serves to put farm workers in a comfortable position to prune, weed, plant seeds, etc. As farm workers spend so much time kneeling and stressing their backs and legs, this new technology helps reduce strain on the back and knees. Less stress on the body means faster workers and a more efficient business.

The stool actually straps onto the worker and is adjustable to the individual. With the stool attached, the worker can move around the garden, farm or nursery with ease to work on new projects. The stool is very light weight (four pounds) and will not disturb the movement of the worker. The stool also adjusts to different heights for a variety of tasks.

For more information on ultra-efficient farming tools, see the Healthy Farmers, Healthy Profits Project web site: http://bse.wisc.edu/hfhp/

The Strap-on Gardening Stool is available from Clean Air Gardening: http://www.cleanairgardening.com/gardenseat.html

Kent Reed Swanson is a freelance writer who writes about environmental issues, organic gardening, and Mexican culture. Contact: kswanson56@yahoo.com