Fall harvest means barns across the Midwest are a busy place — but for a central Minnesota woman, they aren’t just farm buildings, they’re works of art.

“Most of my barns are 100 to 120 years old,” said Heather Coleman.

While home buyers go house hunting, Coleman goes barn hunting across central Minnesota. The more beat up the building is, the better.

“This was a windstorm this summer that took this beautiful thing down,” Coleman said while visiting a barn in Kandiyohi County.

The barnwood she gathers ends up in her shop near the town of Pennock — that’s where it finds a new purpose.

“All these dilapidated barns out in the country either get bulldozed or just sit there and I’m all about refurbishing anything,” Coleman said.

She’s refurbishing while combining her love for farm life with her love for lake life. Coleman has always been good with a saw, so, years ago, when someone asked her if she could carve the shape of their lake out of her barnwood, she didn’t hesitate.

“I said, ‘I’ll give it a try. I’ll try anything once.’ And that’s where it started,” Coleman said.

The first lake turned out so well that word spread. Coleman now does about 50 Minnesota lakes a year. She uses maps from both the Department of Natural Resources and Google to get the shape and then traces them. Then it’s all about getting the cuts just right.

Because no two lakes are the same, every cove and every corner is important.

After the artwork takes shape, 1-inch strips of barnwood are applied. Some light sanding is the final touch.

“Some are intense. Eagle Lake, maybe a half hour. Lake Superior could take a couple hours because starting from the beginning, then cutting and then sanding, and I’m very particular, so it could take quite a while,” Coleman said.

A quick look around her shop shows Coleman is also known for repurposing water skis, hockey sticks and even beer cans — but her heart is in the heartland.

There’s no shortage of barnwood, so there’s no shortage of ideas. She plans to continue to combine her love for barns with her love for lakes. After all, there are 10,000 in the state, which means she isn’t planning on leaving her shop anytime soon.

“My grandma always said if you enjoy doing what you do, it’s never a job. And I love being in my garage and doing this,” Coleman said.

Coleman gives a state of Minnesota barnwood piece to every farmer who donates barnwood to her project. 

Coleman shares her work on Facebook.

By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR’s or APMG entities’ programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.

Two special elections in the Minnesota Senate on Tuesday could shift the balance of power in the chamber.

Democrats hold a 33-32 advantage in the state Senate, but the resignation of DFL Sen. Nicole Mitchell and the death of Republican Sen. Bruce Anderson have left two spots open. Tuesday’s outcomes could solidify the DFL’s one-seat majority or hand the chamber over to the GOP.

Which Minnesota state senate seats are up for election?   

Seats in districts 29 and 47 are on the ballot on Tuesday.

District 29 encompasses Wright County and three communities in neighboring Hennepin and Meeker counties.

District 47 envelops Woodbury and parts of Maplewood.

Why are the two Minnesota state senate seats up for election?

Anderson’s unexpected death at the age of 75 left his seat in District 29 open. Anderson spent more than 30 years in the Minnesota Legislature, serving in the state House before moving to the Senate. He was first elected to District 29 in 2012.

Mitchell resigned in July after being convicted of burglary for breaking into her stepmother’s Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, home. She flipped the district in 2022, defeating Republican Dwight Dorau in the general election. Before that, it had seen Republican representation since redistricting in 2012.

Who is running for the Minnesota state senate seats?  

Republican Michael Holmstrom Jr. won a special primary in August and will face off against Democrat Louis McNutt in District 29. McNutt is a mechanic for the Minnesota Department of Transportation and Holmstrom is a small business owner. Both candidates live in Buffalo, Minnesota, and both are married with children. 

Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger won the DFL primary in August and will compete with Dorau on the ballot in District 47. Hemmingsen-Jaeger is currently a state representative in District 47A. Dorau is a high school teacher and veteran.

Should Hemmingsen-Jaeger win, a special election would be required to fill her House seat.

WCCO’s election coverage

After polls close at 8 p.m., WCCO will provide live results online from every race in the state, including dozens of school referendums.

Results will also appear as soon as they come in on CBS News Minnesota, and key races will be shown at the bottom of the screen on WCCO-TV later in the evening.

Need help registering to vote, finding your polling place or knowing what’s on your ballot? Check out WCCO’s guide here.