Got a cool, old barn that’s been cared for? The Michigan Barn Preservation Network is taking nominations for its 2025 Michigan Barn of the Year awards, which are presented annually to honor barn owners who have made the extra effort to maintain or restore historic barns.

Applications may be reviewed and printed from MBPN’s website at mibarn.net. Completed applications must be postmarked or emailed by Jan. 31.

This is the 29th year MBPN has presented Barn of the Year awards. Over that time, 110 barns from across Michigan have been recognized for their unique qualities or preservation efforts.

The Barn of the Year program annually honors existing Michigan barns that support the ongoing mission to preserve agricultural heritage exemplified by the state's barns. Nominated barns must be in use, either for continued agricultural use or adapted for other uses.

Barns must retain their overall appearance — both in their interior and exterior barn characteristics. Nominations are open to the public, reviewed and determined by MBPN Awards Committee members.

The categories in which awards are presented are for barns or farmsteads in use for:

Barns will be judged for completeness of information presented in the application, sensitivity and integrity of repairs or modifications, visual appeal, creativity, thoroughness of work, and effort expended to repair and maintain.

Four items are required for the submission:

For photos and stories of barns previously recognized as Barn of the Year, visit mibarn.net.

The Michigan Barn Preservation Network is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting, appreciation, preservation and rehabilitation of Michigan barns, farmsteads and rural communities.

Source: MBPN