Friends of Minnesota Barns
Purchase 2010 Calendar
Barn of the Year Winners Announced! Read press release
Friends of Minnesota Barns (FoMB) announced the winners of their Barn of the Year awards at their annual Fall Harvest Celebration, held at the Woodhill Country Club barn in Wayzata. FoMB is a non-profit organization actively supporting efforts to keep traditional barns and other historic farm buildings part of Minnesota's rural landscape.
The Grand Prize in the farm use division was awarded to barn owners David & Marlyce Logan of Pipestone (right photo). Grand Prize of the non-farm use division was Carl & Wanda Erickson of Hawley (left photo).
Runner-ups included LeRoy Grewe of Gaylord, Mike & Jean Kauffmann of Arlington, Gary & Marjory Becker of Marshall, and Ruth Miller of Buffalo. A special Community Award was awarded to Maplewood Area Historical Society for their Bruentrup farm. The Thompson brothers of Sabin won a special Family Award. Other barn entries are featured in FoMB's 2010 Barn Calendar sold here.
This was the second year for theFoMB awards program. Sixty-one barns were entered from all regions of the state, representing 36 counties. The panel of judges included: Marvel Anderson, Volunteer Coordinator of the Preservation Alliance of MN; Doug Ohman, Historical Photographer; Richard Jefferies of Oak Haven; Sherry Stirling, Executive Director of Chisago County Historical Society; and Ruth Tremblay, Artist & Photographer.
Awards recognizing barn preservation will be offered by the organization next year with a slightly revised format, an agriculturally based corporate sponsorship, and even more entries. Complete details can be found at this website or by calling 612-338-BARN (2276).
About this Award...
"To recognize barn owners who have made efforts to preserve their barns and help to provide preservation examples and ideas to other barn owners."
Read about FoMB's Awards Program.
2009 Barn of the Year - Finalists!
Mission
Our mission is to educate the public and raise awareness to the importance of historic barns and farmsteads in Minnesota, and to help advocate for barn preservation. We offer educational workshops and assist others in finding resources for preservation and/or restoration of historic barns and farmsteads.
Friends of Minnesota Barns is a Minnesota-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Formerly operating as a barn preservation program under the Minnesota Historical Society (MHS), and as a result of 2003 state budget cuts, a group of citizens volunteered on Saturday, October 11, 2003 to establish a new organization. An initial steering committee was formed to develop an organization and mission to continue the work started by MHS. In March of 2004, a general membership meeting was held in Chisago City to ratify our charter and bylaws to operate as a newly formed organization.
We currently operate with an all volunteer staff of nine Steering Committee members, and are solely supported by membership dues. Annual membership dues are $25 Individual, $35 Family, or $50 Organization. Dues may be paid by mail or online, using our secure PayPal cart.
Questions?
We try to respond to inquiries within 48 hours, but please be patient. We are an all-volunteer organization!
We welcome your ideas and invite you to join us!!
