Radio Free Meredith

I would be tempted to hunt up those old straw-holders that diners used to have - the kind that look like a sugar dispenser? or possibly just some tall, flat-bottomed round containers. Heck, plastic 2-liters with tops cut off might work, and they're disposable. Fill those with straws on their ends. Mix your bulk agar, then pour over the tops of these until the straws are completely full and just a little liquid over the top. Let the whole mess set, with the top covered if need be, then pull straws out - eliminates the need to pinch the suckers.