2026 MBPN Annual Conference
Saturday, March 14 – 9:00am to 4:30pm
AgroLiquid Conference Center in St. Johns
The 2026 Conference will be held Saturday, March 14 at AgroLiquid headquarters in St. Johns. Conveniently located in mid-Michigan about 20 miles north of Lansing, the facility includes a state-of-the-art conference center as well as an interactive museum devoted to agricultural history, innovation and exploration.
The all-day event for networking, learning and camaraderie features exhibits, program speakers, a buffet lunch, a fundraising auction and the Barn of the Year awards.
More information and registration
Conference Program and Presenters
Round and Multi-Faceted Barns in the Midwest
Keynote by Rick Collins
Sometimes referred to as the scientific era, the booming agricultural expansion and experimentation in the mid-1800s through early 1900s brought about unprecedented large-scale construction that changed the landscape of America. Some of the most uniquely Midwest barns are round and multi-faceted. What do they look like today? How can we care for the relatively few remaining? Rick Collins, a master carpenter and timber framer, will review case studies of some of these impressive giants while highlighting a perspective that can be used to assess and steward any historic structure.
From Dairy Barn to Residence and Airbnb
Presentation by Bob Kovacevich
Bob and Kathy Kovacevich are the owners and operators of The Barn House in Plainwell, north of Kalamazoo. The barn originally was part of a dairy farm established in 1878, and it had multiple dairy farm owners prior to Kathy acquiring it in 1992. Through a labor of love and determination, the barn was transformed into a home over the next 30 years and subsequently evolved into the Airbnb that exists today. The funds raised through the Airbnb are used entirely for preserving the natural beauty of the barn.
Taxes and Fees—Who Needs ‘Em?
The legal and tax advantages of restoring older farm buildings
Presentation by Gary Howell
Gary Howell will draw upon his legal and legislative background to inform barn owners about the tax advantages and legal aspects of restoring older barn buildings. A farmer and lawyer, he has served as a tax assessor, municipal attorney and state legislator. Currently he is on the Lapeer County Board of Commissioners. He and his wife Cheryl live on a 400-acre farm near North Branch, where they raise hay, beef cattle and row crops. Their 1878 restored barn was featured on the 2025 MBPN Fall Barn Tour.
Michigan Flywheelers Museum
Presentation by Patrick Ingalls
Patrick Ingalls, president of the Michigan Flywheelers Museum near South Haven, will talk about the museum’s history and current projects. The 80-acre site is dedicated to the restoration and preservation of antique gas/steam engines and tractors and includes Olde Town, a 1920s era community where the restored Stephenson Barn is located. Named a “Great Michigan Barn” in 2024 by the Michigan Barn Preservation Network, it serves as the main building for exhibits, educational workshops, classes and programs as well as rental facility.
Click here to register for conference.
Who will win?
The Barn of the Year awards will be presented on March 14 at MBPN’s Annual Conference at the AgroLiquid Conference Center in St. Johns, Michigan. The award program recognizes exceptional examples of Michigan’s barns that have been preserved through regular maintenance or restoration. In the 30 years since its inception, a total of 116 barns have received this designation for either their unique character, their historic stories, or the heroic efforts toward saving them for future generations to respect and enjoy.
Award categories cover barns that continue to be used for agriculture and those that are adapted for other uses.
The 3-month window for submitting nominations closed Jan. 31. The judges are now reviewing the submissions and will be notifying the winners soon. More Information
2026 Nominated Barns
Nine barns from different counties throughout Michigan have been nominated for 2026 Barn of the Year Awards. They have entered in the family agricultural use category or in the private, commercial or non-profit categories for adaptive use.
See all nominated barns.
Past Winners
Six barns received the “2025 Barn of Year” designation at last year’s Annual Conference. Top Row (L to R): Merle Green Family Barns in Elsie, B&B Heartwoods Barn in Ann Arbor, Kucharek Barn in Howell. Bottom Row (L to R): Fisk Barn in White Lake Township, Somerville Barn in Mason, and Gasior Barn in Fenton. Read More
Click here for current MBPN Newsletter issue.
Pre-Conference Edition
Barn lovers will enjoy the cover shot of Lone Elm Barn in Shiawassee County and photo gallery of other winter barns by photographer John Coe.
This Pre-Conference edition of the newsletter announces the program for the MBPN Annual Conference and Member Meeting on Saturday, March 14 at the AgroLiquid Conference Center in St. Johns. Presenters include Bob Kovacevich about transforming his barn into a residence and Airbnb; Gary Howell on tax and legal matters for barn owners; Patrick Ingalls about the Michigan Flywheelers Museum; and keynoter Rick Collins presenting case studies of round and multi-faceted barn restoration projects.
Readers also get a preview of barns from 9 counties that have been nominated for “Barn of the Year” awards.
Other news: an update on the Endowment Fund, displays provided to the Traverse City Area Library for Heritage Barn Month in January, and an In Memoriam remembrance of Ramon Waltz.
Become a MBPN member to receive the print edition of the newsletter in the mail several times a year.
2026 Barn Calendar
The popular 2026 MBPN Calendar again features noteworthy barns throughout the state. Photographer John Cole traveled the countryside taking pictures in Bay, Clare, Clinton, Gratiot, Ingham, Isabella, Midland and Shiawassee counties.
We are pleased to showcase several barns with unique doors and windows, and offer a historical perspective on those features in the related story.
This year, dues-paying MBPN members were sent two copies—one to keep and one to give to a friend! If you would like to order more, please go to the MBPN Online Store . For bulk orders, contact vera@wiltse.com.
For barn photo submission information for next year, click here.
Thank you to our advertisers and event listing sponsors. See Directory of supporters.
A Day of Barn Touring in Michigan’s Thumb
Tour Route: Before boarding the bus at the Columbiaville Historical Society and Museum, barn tour participants gathered for coffee and donuts and enjoyed a brief presentation and tour at the museum.
Most of the tour was in Deerfield Township, Lapeer County, with the last stop in Washington Township, Tuscola County.
The Questions We’re Most Often Asked…
Q. Is there any funding for barn restoration?
The Michigan Barn Preservation Network keeps tabs on funding opportunities in the form of grants, tax credits and low-interest loans. Click here for the latest information about organizations and programs that provide some kind of assistance.
Currently there are no governmental grants in Michigan to help private owners of barns with restoration or repair of their personal property. Work on barns which are owned by municipalities, nonprofit organizations or other public entities may be eligible for consideration for grants and awards through governmental and foundation programs. Listing on the National or State Register of Historic Places is a requirement for most grants.
Q. How can I find someone to fix my barn?
There are people all across Michigan who do repair work on old barns. Some do historically accurate timber frame work. Some do structural reinforcement by using cables. Some specialize in installing steel roofing and siding. Many will repair anything from foundation to cupola.
Our website provides a Contractor’s List as a place for barn owners to start looking for help.
Also check out Tom Irrer’s article about finding and vetting contractors.
Q. Why are barns red?
MBPN Board Member Keith Anderson offers several practical and cost-effective reasons why red became the dominant color of early barns. See article.
Q. Have questions about rehabilitating or repairing your barn?
Check out the Frequently Asked Questions about barn repair here. MBPN has a committee of experts to answer your inquiries. Go to the contact page to send a query.
On the Road:
Teamwork & Timbers
Teamwork & Timbers is a one-of-a-kind learning opportunity for youth to experience the barn-raising tradition that was common in Michigan’s rural communities during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
At the request of local organizations, our MBPN volunteers deliver the structural components to festival and school sites in Michigan and coordinate the assembly of a 1/4 size 19th-century timber frame model. While working on this life-size 3-D puzzle, students learn historic construction techniques and architectural terms. They also are challenged to use their math, science, and engineering skills.
This educational experience gives Michigan youth and adults a glimpse into our agricultural heritage, the pride of craftsmanship, and what can happen when people come together to accomplish something that they cannot do alone.
Contact MBPN to ask about scheduling T&T for your group.
MBPN’s Barn School
The Michigan Barn Preservation Network offers barn workshops and classes in both onsite and virtual formats. In the hands-on field program, participants spend a Saturday assessing the condition and stability of a barn and learn about barn architecture, construction, maintenance and repair approaches.
A Day of Hands-on Activities
Left: Barn School participants examine silo while conducting exterior assessment of BJ’s barn in North Branch. Right: Portable saw mill demonstration was part of the morning activities held nearby at MEJ’s Mystical Farm.
The most recent Barn School event was Oct. 11, 2025 in Lapeer County as part of the Fall Barn Tour weekend. The morning session included a portable saw mill demonstration and presentations on how to approach barn repairs:
- Patch or Replace? By Tom Nehil, structural engineer and stone masonry teacher
- What Has Caused the Need for Repairs? By Blair Bates, barn rehabilitation expert and master stone mason
The second half of the day was devoted to Steve Stier’s popular Barn School – a workshop at a nearby 1912-era barn. Led by architect Tammis Donaldson, participants learned how to assess a barn’s condition and prioritize repairs.
Learn more about the Barn School here.
Virtual Barn School 101
MBPN’s Virtual Barn School 101 is featured on the YouTube channel of the Michigan Historic Preservation Network. Steve Stier, Tammis Donaldson and Stephanie White present a brief history of barns in Michigan, barn terminology and parts, and free to low-cost fixes barn owners can do. This 2020 workshop is still available as a Webinar Replay.
Welcome to the Michigan Barn Preservation Network (MBPN), a volunteer-based, statewide nonprofit dedicated to promoting appreciation, preservation, and rehabilitation of Michigan barns, farmsteads, and rural communities.
We are committed to the rehabilitation of barns for agricultural, commercial, public, and residential uses. Adaptive re-use is a significant strategy for barn preservation – all structures need a reason for being.
MBPN fosters the sharing of barn experiences and resources with this website and through educational events, recognition programs, connections and collaboration.
Barns symbolize positive qualities of American character: strength, honesty, endurance, security and family stability. They remind us of our heritage and help tell the story of rural life. They serve as landmarks while fulfilling the purpose for which they were originally designed, housing agricultural products and animals. With maintenance and some adaptations, they can serve us well for many years to come.
Mission: Promoting Appreciation, Preservation and Rehabilitation of Michigan Barns, Farmsteads and Rural Communities since 1995.