Friends of Minnesota Barns help advocate for barn preservation of historic barns and farmsteads in Minnesota.

Friends of Minnesota Barns announced the winners of their 2011 Barn of the Year Awards at their Fall Harvest Reception on October 22nd.

Oldest Barn:

#1 Pat & Hal Hetland, Houston, Houston County
#2 Glenn Kinneberg, Spring Grove, Houston County

Most Generational Barn:

#1 Ronald & Miriam (Monson) Hackmann, Marine, Washington County
#2 Elizabeth (Mrs. Willard) Jacobson, Evansville, Ottertail County

Best Agricultural Adaptive Re-use:

#1 Jerry & Debbie Rhoads, Center City, Chisago County
#2 Dale Alsaker, Wheaton, Traverse County

Best Non-Agricultural Adaptive Re-use:

#1 (shared) Ed & Rachael Stoffel, Pine City, Pine County
#1 (shared) Kurt Vinkemeier, Cologne, Carver County
#2 Gene and Sharon Mosbek, Elk River, Sherburne County

Most Traditional Restoration:

#1 Paul & Dawn Tuttle, Henderson, Sibley County
#2 Allard John Christenson, Paynesville, Kandiyohi County

Most Dramatic Rescue:

#1 Harry Kaspszak, Kettle River, Carlton County
#2 Linda & David Hommes, Aitkin, Aitkin County

2011 Harvest Barn Competition

Positions Open for Board Members

The FoMB has three open positions for Board members. If you wish to nominate yourself or another person... contact nominating committee members Tawnya Hoffmann or Christina Harrison by leaving a message at 612-338-2276

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?

Friends of Minnesota Barns is an all volunteer organization. We often receive the same questions repeatedly. Please review our frequently asked questions page BEFORE emailing or calling us with any inquiries. Thank you!

We welcome your ideas and invite you to join us!!