The Michigan Barn Preservation Network is seeking nominations of restored Michigan heritage barns for its 2009 Barn of the Year competition. Nominations are open through January 15, and winners will be announced at the 2009 annual conference March 13 and March 14 at Michigan State University.

Nominations may be made in any of four categories: continued family/private agricultural use, family/ private adaptive use, nonprofit agricultural or adaptive use, and commercial agricultural or adaptive use.

Nominated barns must have been built before 1959 and must retain their overall appearance and interior and exterior barn characteristics. Nominees and winners have included working barns for animals and equipment and barns used for business, historical, and home purposes.

Judging will be by people wellversed in preservation architecture and barn restoration, but the emphasis will not be on textbook perfection. Judges will be looking for how well the historical integrity of the barn was respected in preserving it for its current use. They will look at the integrity of the structure, its setting, the preservation of original materials, thoughtful changes that maintain original design, careful repair/reuse of original materials, and soundness for current use.

Winners receive a plaque, recognition by the network at the annual conference, and media coverage.

Send nominations and photos to Barn of the Year Committee, 3225 Edgewood Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104.

Late nominations will not qualify for this year's competition but will be kept for the following year's competition if the applicant so desires. To get a previously nominated barn considered for an award this year, contact Kathy Holtz at (734) 971-9315.

The nomination form is available online at www.mibarn.net. Click on the "About" tab and then "Recognition Programs." For more information, contact Kathy Holtz at the above number.