Buchanan School Farm Barn Wins Statewide Barn of the Year Award

The historic barn is now recognized for its preservation and community use.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 6:00pm

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Buchanan Community Schools' Buchanan School Farm Barn has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 Barn of the Year Award, presented by the Michigan Barn Preservation Network. The barn, which dates back to the early 1900s, is used by the school district for events, storage, and educational activities for students.

Why it matters

The award highlights the importance of preserving historic agricultural structures and using them to engage the local community. Buchanan's barn serves as a gathering place and outdoor classroom, showcasing how these spaces can be repurposed for modern needs.

The details

The Buchanan School Farm Barn is located on about 80 acres of property that the school district purchased in the 1970s. It is an old-fashioned, large red barn that is now maintained by volunteers. The school uses the barn for events, storage, and a variety of activities for students from kindergarten through 4th grade, including building scarecrows and planting pumpkins.

  • The school district purchased the 80-acre property in the 1970s.
  • The barn was likely built in the early 1900s, based on its gambrel design.
  • The Barn of the Year Award was presented on March 17, 2026.
  • A Plow Day and Pancake Breakfast event is scheduled for April 18, 2026.

The players

Buchanan Community Schools

The school district that owns and maintains the Buchanan School Farm Barn.

Michigan Barn Preservation Network

The organization that presents the annual Barn of the Year Award, recognizing historic barns in the state.

Monica Luke

A Buchanan Middle School social studies teacher who oversees the school farm and barn.

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What they’re saying

“It was sold from an estate on June 29, 1973. So, we don't have an exact date on the barn. We're thinking early 1900s, just based on the fact that it's a gambrel barn.”

— Monica Luke, Buchanan Middle School Social Studies Teacher

“It's kind of a gathering place as well when we hold our field trips. Our kindergarten through our fourth grade students come to the school farm for a variety of activities. We build scarecrows, we plant pumpkins.”

— Monica Luke, Buchanan Middle School Social Studies Teacher

What’s next

The school is inviting the community to a Plow Day and Pancake Breakfast event on April 18, 2026 to celebrate the barn's award and see it in person. The school is also looking for volunteers to help repaint the barn.

The takeaway

The Buchanan School Farm Barn's recognition as a Barn of the Year Award winner showcases how historic agricultural structures can be preserved and repurposed to serve modern educational and community needs. This award highlights the importance of maintaining these iconic buildings and using them to engage students and the public.