 Leyson Barn, Tracy, MN Friends of Minnesota Barns (FoMB) announced the winners of their Barn of the Year awards at their first annual Fall Harvest Celebration, held at the Woodhill Country Club barn in Wayzata.
The Grand Prize in the family-owned division was awarded to barn owner Lee Leysen of Tracy, MN. Grand Prize of the Group-owned division was Murray County, owners of the fairgrounds barn in Slayton. Runner-up barn owners included Wayne and Helen Zuelch of Le Center and Val Mondor of Chisago City.
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 Murray County Barn, Slayton Other finalists included Herman Hamann of Wadena, Larry & Jennifer Lahr of Cold Spring, the Lund family of Dawson, Kenneth & Maxine Lebsock of Dent, Gerard & Lila Brogan of St. Charles, and Arthur Schoening of Milaca.
This was the first year for the FoMB awards program. Seventy barns were entered from all regions of the state, representing 36 counties. Carver County boasted the most entries, with 7 barns submitted for consideration. Preservation examples from the entries will be posted on the FoMB website–Stay tuned!
 Mondor Barn, Chisago City Our panel of judges included:
- Marvel Anderson, Volunteer Coordinator of the Preservation Alliance of MN
- Steve Edwins, AIA, of SMSQ Architects
- Susan Granger, Historical Consultant of Gemini Research
- Sherry Stirling, Executive Director of Chisago County Historical Society
- Ruth Tremblay, Artist & Photographer.
 Zuelch Barn, Le Center 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. |