We have used it every year, this year I ran short and was using the liquid. I take a pair of panty hose and stuff as much straw as I can and then in the koi pond I put it in the biofalls and in the lily pond just on the bottom of the pond. We have always just gotten it from DH's brother who is a farmer and plants a small field for mixing, and he gives us a few garbage bags. Kat, maybe you could contact some area farmers,try a feed store or check people offering covering hay for a farm source or even a golf course, quite a few of the ones around here use barley in their ponds and they may know of a source.