Free, natural soft water is easier to access than you may realize. The Marion County Extension Office is holding a workshop on rain barrels Saturday morning. Representatives from Rain Barrels Iowa will be on-hand to discuss the advantages of the tanks that gather stormwater off of your roof. Marion County Extension Specialist Karen Ackley says that the water has several uses – from the normal watering of the garden to even washing windows. The workshop starts at 10:30 and runs until noon at the Marion County Extension Office. You can find out more about rain barrels here.