Barney Muckle was the inventor of the Barney Planter.  He developed the tool over many years at his farm on the western slopes of Mount Kenya.

He was an agricultural engineer with over 50 years field experience in all parts of Africa with a passion for Conservation Agriculture. 

In 1966 he spent 18 months in Sierra Leone on secondment from (then) Silsoe Agricultural College, UK.  In 1973 he joined the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and moved to Algiers where he worked on various intermedite and appropriate technology projects. 

In 1977 Barney moved to Kenya with the FAO where he was project manager in Nakuru.  Here he was tasked with creating a large scale evaluation program testing small farm machinery for use in Kenya.  Over the next decade Barney travelled throughout Kenya initiating many projects in crop management, animal husbandry, water management, alternative energy and low technology techniques.

After retiring from the FAO Barney became a consultant conducting field research for World Bank, FAO, International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Ethiopia, Gabon, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Lesotho and Zimbabwe.  He also acted as external examiner for the University of Nairobi and informally advising small projects in and around his locality.

Sadly, Barney passed away on 5th May 2024 after a short illness near his farm where he continued to live, write and interact enthusiastically with the global CA (conservation agriculture) community. In his book 'Good Work' EF Schumacher says ..."Now, a young engineer at the college, his name is Barney Muckle, recalled that our forefathers used semi-stationary engines...So a team set to work...and they came up with a machine they christened the Snail."