RUTLAND — A free rain barrel workshop will be held Tuesday, April 2 at 6 p.m. at the Meigs SWCD Conservation Area. The workshop is being hosted by the Leading Creek Watershed Group and the Meigs Soil and Water Conservation District.

A rain barrel is a container, generally a 55-gallon plastic drum, that collects and stores rain water from downspouts and rooftops for future use watering lawns and gardens. Other parts include a vinyl garden hose, PVC couplings, a screen to keep debris and insects out and other commonly available materials.

Guest speaker will be Jonathan Meier from Rain Brothers LLC. The Rain Brothers are passionate about rain water collecting and are licensed private water systems contractors. Topics will include: the benefits of collecting rain water, different ways of collecting rain water, setting up your own rain barrel, care and maintenance of your rain barrel, winterizing, best practices, and much more.

Information will also be available on how people can maintain their own rain barrels.

The program is funded in part through a grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Soil and Water Resources.

The Conservation Area is located on New Lima Road approximately midway between Rutland and Harrisonville. Registration is not required, but for more information contact Michele Tarian at the Meigs SWCD weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 740-992-4282.