America’s agricultural economy is depressed; family farms are struggling to survive; barns are expensive to restore. Barns are being lost at an alarming rate—at least 1000 barns per year disappear forever from the Iowa countryside. Neglected barns must be rehabilitated now, before they are lost to the ravages of time and neglect.

Founded in 1997, the Iowa Barn Foundation is dedicated to preserving Iowa’s rural buildings, symbols of Iowa's early heritage. The Iowa Barn Foundation is an Iowa non-profit corporation with tax-exempt status under paragraph 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

The primary mission of the Iowa Barn Foundation is to educate the public about Iowa’s endangered barns and to provide barn restoration matching grants to help property owners restore their barns. In addition, property owners who use their own funds to restore or rehabilitate barns that would otherwise qualify for a matching grant are eligible to receive an Iowa Barn Foundation Award of Distinction. Take a look at some of the restored barns that have been featured on the 2001-2009 All-State Barn Tours.

The Iowa Barn Foundation, in keeping with its mission to preserve Iowa’s agricultural heritage, now accepts economically and financially self-sustaining farms and farmland. Through farm conservancy, these farms and farmland are saved in perpetuity for agricultural purposes according to the owner’s wishes.

We need your help to preserve Iowa’s barns! All of the funds to rehabilitate and restore Iowa’s barns come solely from private donations. Make a donation or become a member of the Iowa Barn Foundation today!

Looking for the perfect holiday cards or gifts? Check out the Iowa Barn Foundation Store.

Preservation Alerts

Watch this space for news about historic barns and other important agricultural buildings in Iowa that desperately need your help.

2011 Calendar of Events

June

Spring Iowa Barn Tour, Saturday, June 18, and Sunday June 19, 8:30 to 5

Magnificent historic barns in Cedar, Jones, and Delaware Counties will be highlighted on the annual "area" barn tour Saturday, June 18, and Sunday, June 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.A picnic will be held Sunday at 12:30 at the Tjaden historic landmark barn at 9956 Highway 64, Wyoming.

The purpose of the tour, free and opened to the public, is to highlight the importance of barns in Iowa's agricultural history. For youngsters, it is an up close learning experience; for everyone it's a time to reminisce.

Sue Robinson, Cedar County representative to the Iowa Barn Foundation, is chair of the event.

A special picnic lunch will be catered by Kalmes Restaurant, St. Donatus. The cost of the picnic is $9. Checks for the picnic must be made out to the Iowa Barn Foundation and sent to: Roxanne Mehlisch, 17590 730th Avenue, Zearing, Iowa 50278. Questions: 641 487 7690. Checks must be received by June 10.

October

All State Iowa Barn Tour, Saturday, October 15, and Sunday October 16, 8:30 to 5

Iowa Barn Foundation's all-state barn tour is scheduled for Saturday, October 15 and Sunday, October 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

On the tour are barns that have been restored with Iowa Barn Foundation matching grants, as well as barns that have received awards of distinction from the Iowa Barn Foundation. Barns receiving awards of distinction have been restored, according to grant guidlines, by their owners.