FINDLAY, Ohio — Barn enthusiasts, owners and even “barn-huggers” are invited to join Friends of Ohio Barns (FOOB) for an educational tour and the group’s 16th annual conference in Hancock County April 24-25.

A bus tour is planned April 24, while the next day’s conference at Brugeman Lodge, Riverbend Recreation Area, Findlay, will feature local historians, guest speakers and barn lore.

“The purpose is to help raise awareness for barn owners and people who are interested in barns throughout the state,” said Ric Beck, president of FOOB. “We want people to understand the importance of barns, both in their agricultural value and for repurposing.”

Beck said barns have value historically and in current use. “To understand that, these old barns, the wood in them is irreplaceable. Some of the timbers in some of the old barns are 250 years old, at least. We want to make people more aware of their value and importance, and try to do things to conserve them,” he explained.

Barns no longer in agricultural use have been converted to houses, commercial buildings, restaurants, storage facilities and other uses. “Anything to keep these barns alive,” Beck pointed out.

Stops on the tour include Bright-Hoy Barn, built in 1854, and Ropp-Metzger Barn, built in 1833. Mark Metzger plans to tell stories about barns and how he is preserving them for future generations.

Another stop is the Basinger Barn, which features owl holes.

Keynote speaker will be David Fey, director of the Fairfield County Historic Parks, who plans to talk about preservation methods. Al Parker, from Zane State College, will speak about efforts to save barn owls and Gary Wilson, retired Ohio State University extension agent, will discuss history.

Local farmers David and Linda Spahr are to talk about Modern Family Farm and how they have adapted to changes in farming, and Kelly and Tammy Rundle will update the group on “The Barn Raisers” documentary.

The 2015 Barn of the Year awards will be presented in the categories of Agricultural Use, Adaptive Re-use and Stewardship. For more information or to register, visit www.friendsofohiobarns.org

Or, email Sarah Woodall at friendsohiobarns@gmail.com or Beck at rbeck7736@gmail.com or call 614-738-4302.