How can I prevent my dwarfs from moving the barrel full of drink mats?

One of my difficulties with DF is the need to constantly produce drinks. The main reason this is a difficulty is because my still constantly cancels producing drinks, complaining that it doesnt have drink-mat-producing plants. However, I do have plenty drink-mat-producing plants.

The issue is that they are all stored in a barrel, and when a new plant sprouts the dwarfs will take this barrel and move it to the farm plot to pickup the new plant. During this time, the still believes that there are no materials to produce drinks with. How can I avoid situation?

Solution 1:

(I'm copying the answer in the comments to an actual answer, because this question deserves to show as answered. Thanks to Ids for actually writing this answer.)

Make two stockpiles, one that accepts plants without barrels. The other that accepts plants and has barrels, set the second to only take from the first. Place them next to each other. That way your dworfs spend as little time as possible to haul the barrels.