ATTENTION: Next year, instead of mailing postcards, the Division for Historic Preservation will send out an electronic notification when the grant manual and application are available.  If you would like to receive the notification next year by email please send your e-mail address to debra.sayers@state.vt.us.  Thank you!

BARN GRANTS

The broad purpose of the State of Vermont’s grant program for agricultural buildings is to preserve these important historic structures as they represent Vermont’s agricultural heritage to current and future generations.  The Division for Historic Preservation, in cooperation with the Vermont Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, is able to award competitive 60/40 matching grants for up to $15,000 for repair of historic agricultural buildings (the state provides 60% of the grant project funding, up to the award amount, and the grant recipient provides the 40%).  The buildings must be at least 50 years old and either listed on or be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.  Eligibility for listing will be determined by the Vermont Advisory Council on Historic Preservation as part of the application process.  This is a reimbursement grant program, which means a grant recipient is responsible for paying for the full amount of the project and the state will reimburse the grant recipient once the project and required paper work are complete. 


Quotes from property owners & barn applicants, some who recieved a grant and some who did not:

"The roof is so rusty that…the snow will not slide off." Joseph and Barbara Daley, Lemington

"My goal is to restore and renovate so future generations can see how our past generations of Vermonters lived, their values, work ethics, and technology. It would be more time-effective and cost less if buildings were torn down and replaced. The problem is you lose the integrity of the building." Todd Morey, Troy

"Having active farms with traditional barns is so important for Vermont tourism and we think it is important that we try to keep them standing and in good condition and to encourage the small family farm." Timothy & Colleen Pratt

"The public benefit lies beyond the preservation of an old building. We want to preserve the rural landscape, one that supports a small herd of Holsteins grazing alongside the road, in pastures ringed by stone walls and kept open." Laurie Burnham, Thetford

"Although this barn is lovely and old and makes people sigh when they drive past it, its real value is as the keeper of its history - a real place where real people have been farming for a long time." Kate & Eric Reimanis, Strafford

"Without funding this work cannot be realized." Amy McCoy, Isle LaMotte

Vermont Barn Census
Taking Care of Your Old Barn