Take a close look at this barn. Have you seen it as you have driven around Indiana? If you live in south-central Indiana and travel on Highway 44 near Connersville, odds are good that you have.
This barn would be on your way if you were heading toward Liberty in Union County on 44. Or if you were heading into Connersville, you would see it on the south side of the road on your way through town, and on to Rushville and Shelbyville.
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The Henry family owns the barn today. Jeremy Henry farms the ground. You met him in the December cover story of Indiana Prairie Farmer. He has designed and built a cover crop seeder for his grain head. He also rigged one up a year ago for his corn head. He used both this fall to help establish cover crops on his farm.
The old barn should remain a landmark for some time thanks to repairs and new siding. It even has a colorful block design hung on the side to dress it up.
Like many old barns, Henry says there are lots of memories in this one. It once was used to house livestock that were raised on the farm. Note that it has a lower level, and was built on the side of a hill. The land becomes rolling as you drive east from Connersville toward Liberty on Highway 44.
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Several groups are making efforts to encourage owners to restore old barns instead of tear them down. The Indiana legislature passed a bill last year that gives some tax relief to people who maintain older barns that are no longer used directly in ag production. Certain stipulations apply, so check with your accountant about the new rules.