HUDSON, Ohio — Barn owners, enthusiasts and perhaps even some “barn huggers” are expected at the 14th annual Ohio Barn Conference in Hudson later this month.

This event, which will take place April 27-28 at the Clarion Inn & Conference Center in Summit County, is cosponsored by Friends of Ohio Barns and the National Barn Alliance. It features a tour of barns in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and others throughout Summit County.

“The Cuyahoga Valley Countryside initiative got started in 1999 as a way to rehabilitate old farms and put them back to work under the guidance of the Guhahoga Countryside Conservancy,” said Darwin Kelsey, incorporator and executive director of the conservancy. “It has been a successful program on many levels.”

On the first day patrons will tour several Century Barns located in Cuyahoga Valley in Summit County. One stop will be the Brown/Bender barn, a three-story tall large bank barn with two sunken haymows and a center granary built in 1896.

An example of adaptive re-use will be the Canal Corners Farmer’s Market barn, which is a modified Wisconsin barn, made of timbers milled in Tennessee and brought to Ohio in 1913. Several other interesting barns used for agriculture and adaptive re-use will be on the visit, as well.

Rudy Christian and Larry Sulzer, the “Barn Detectives,” will be there to explain the barn structures and the unique aspects of the barns chosen for the tour. Lunch will be provided that day by Guido’s and served at the Church in the Valley.

On day two patrons will listen to local historians and guest speakers, observe demonstrations and participate in a silent auction. 

Scott Carlson, an accomplished timber framer and woodworker, is the keynote speaker this year.

Carlson graduated from the University of Montana as a forester, which has helped him find just the right trees to craft his cruck frames. He is the owner of Sweetgrass Joining Co. in Huntsburg, Ohio. Carlson’s topic is from “Tree to Frame.”

“The patterns of our frameworks are inspired by the work of many different cultures,” he said. “Our primary influence in overall design and joinery choices comes from English roots in both Early American and the Old World. Heavy timber carpentry evolved with the changing uses and architectural styles of buildings through the mid-19th century.”

Charles Leik, from the National Barn Alliance, will speak on the future of America’s barns as well as the National Barn Alliance’s accomplishments and future goals. “The National Barn Alliance provides leadership for the preservation of America’s historic barns and their rural heritage,” Leik said.

David Snider from Somerset, Ohio, will speak on local history and the “Agricultural Juggernaut.” Snider is a modern agricultural structure designer and builder.

There will be an entertaining wrap-up from the Barn Detectives, with slides from Friday’s barn tour. During lunch on the second day the 2012 Barn of the Year awards will be presented. In addition, there will be barn survey exhibits, antique tools exhibits, a bookstore, barn models and the silent auction.

A panel of farmers from the program (Alan Halko, Daniel Greenfield and David Wingenfeld) will share their experiences with barns.

“There are people who love the country life and there are those who have a specific affection for old barns and the craftsmanship that was involved in these new and old structures,” Kelsey said. “A good dose of barn lore is in store.”

Kelsey will speak about the Farmstead Conservancy in the park, how it was developed and the future of the program. There will be a panel of Farmstead farmers on board to discuss their farms and how they fit into this system.

Friends of Ohio Barns is a nonprofit membership-based organization created to promote awareness of the significance of Ohio’s historic barns through educational opportunities that bring together barn owners, barn lovers and folks who believe in the stewardship of Ohio barns. The National Barn Alliance is a nationwide nonprofit organization that works to save America’s historic barns, sharing of information on these structures, their history and their maintenance.

To register or for more information, go online to www.friendsofohiobarns.org or call Sarah Woodall at 330-856-9053 or 330-550-6982.