BARN AGAIN!
The 2008 Farm Heritage Award Winner after rehabilitation, Ringtown, PA.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation's BARN AGAIN! Program helps farmers and ranchers find ways to maintain and use historic barns and agricultural buildings as part of modern agricultural production. Created and managed in partnership with Successful Farming magazine, the BARN AGAIN! Program offers publications on technical issues, organizes educational workshops and recognizes good stewardship through an annual Awards Program.
The BARN AGAIN! Program...
- Promotes the preservation and practical use of older barns for today's farming needs
- Provides practical, up-to-date information and technical assistance to barn owners
- Presents annual awards for excellence in barn rehabilitation and farm and ranch preservation
- Demonstrates that preserving sturdy old farm buildings can be very economical when compared to new construction
- Assists local groups in planning BARN AGAIN! workshops and training sessions
- Works with large and small acreage owners to more effectively use their older farm buildings
- Advocates for barn preservation funding on the federal, state and local level
- Is a national resource for thousands of people concerned with the future of America's rural heritage
How many historic barns are there?
For the first time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Census of Agriculture included a question about historic barns. Information about the number of active farms with barns built before 1960 is now available, including a listing of the results by state.
Don't forget to check out...
A new publication, Historic Barns: Working Assets for Sustainable Farms, is available from the National Trust. Written by Michigan small farmer and author Edward Hoogterp, this publication describes how older and historic barns can provide practical benefits to one of the most exciting and fastest-growing segments of the rural economy – sustainable agriculture. Using several case studies, the publication explains how historic barns can meet important functional, economic and marketing needs of sustainable producers. Download a free copy here.
