Meet Our Instructors:

Farm Pickings

News and Updates from Sanborn Mills Farm

— May 24, 2023 —

Don’t Miss Tomorrow’s Up-and-Down Saw Demo and Pop-Up Lunch

On Thursday, May 25, we will demonstrate our water-powered up-and-down saw in the sawmill at Sanborn Mills Farm. This is a rare opportunity to see one of these historic saws in action. When they were introduced in the 18th century, these saws revolutionized timber milling and lumber production, freeing up labor. We believe the Farm is home to the only water-powered sawmill in the U.S. with both an operating up-and-down saw and a circular saw.

Following the demonstration, which begins at 11 a.m., join us for a pop-up lunch made by our Head Chef, Kelly Fahey, from ingredients grown here at the Farm.

Registration is required for the lunch. Click here to register — and we’ll see you tomorrow!

Just One Spot Left for

June 9-11 Embroidery Workshop

We have one available spot left for the “Mixed Media Embroidery: Paint and Fiber” workshop scheduled for June 9-11. This workshop is taught by Sarah K. Benning, one of our most popular instructors, so don’t let this opportunity go by if you’re interested in this aspect of the fiber arts. Click here for information and to register.

Fibershed Roundtable a Big Success at the Farm

This past weekend, on Saturday, May 20, Sanborn Mills hosted the Northern New England Fibershed’s first public Round Table. The event was attended by more than 60 fiber enthusiasts including representation from farmers, knitters, dyers, weavers, fiber mills and regional brands. The excitement in the room was palpable.

With eight dynamic breakout sessions throughout the day, attendees had a difficult time choosing which to attend. The most popular session by far was the northern New England Mill Panel, where representatives from regional mills talked about the challenges and opportunities of processing fiber in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Other breakout sessions included The Future of Bast Fibers in Northern New England, Connecting Fiber Farmers to Local Designers with Laura Sansone from the NY Textile Lab, Animal Health Reflected in Fiber Quality, Northern New England Producer Panel, Connecting with Craft Schools in our Region, Waste: Water, Textiles and Wool, and Supporting Young Fiber Farmers; Sustaining Local Wool Production.

The aim of The Northern New England Fibershed (NNEF) is to help cultivate regional natural fiber systems in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine that nourish soil, protect land, and support community. Sanborn Mills Farm is the fiscal sponsor of the NNEF. 

Siri Swanson from Yankee Clippers Shearing at Yankee Rock Farm describes how sheep shearing fits into the fibershed approach. She does a great job shearing the sheep at Sanborn Mills Farm.

Meet Our Instructors:

Catherine Crooker,

Kevin A. Schurman,

Berkley Heath

A professional fundraiser by day, Cathy Crooker says she relies on expressing herself in fiber arts “to keep her in balance.” She began her fiber arts journey when she picked up her first her first knitting needles as an exchange student in Denmark more than 30 years ago. An intro to spinning class in college further expanded her fiber arts world. Today, Cathy processes, dyes and spins & spins & spins both raw and commercially prepared fibers. She lives in Sandwich, N.H. Her upcoming workshop, “Spinning Fun with Color Blending,” is scheduled for June 10 at the Farm. Click here for more information and to register.



Recently retired, Kevin A. Schurman had been the infrastructure manager at Sanborn Mills Farm since 2010. Now he offers his expertise in woodworking as workshop instructor. Kevin has overseen many building projects at the farm including the magnificent spiral staircase in Fifield Hall. Before joining Sanborn Mills Farm, Kevin spent more than 30 years as a self-employed restoration carpenter working on projects involving old homes, barns, and other buildings throughout the state of New Hampshire. He specializes in timber framing, historic windows, doors and interior work. Kevin has three upcoming workshops this year at the Farm, the first being “Turning Bowsaw” on June 24-25. Register here to learn how to make one of these traditional saws.

Berkley Heath describes herself as a “lifelong artist fascinated by the sources of the materials in our daily lives. My work in organic agriculture and herbalism led me to discover natural dyeing, and I began studying traditional surface design techniques to incorporate my printmaking practice with my love of natural colors.” Natural dyeing, she says, brings together many of her interests, from plant biology and organic chemistry to design and ethnobotany. “I feel passionate about sharing this craft with others. I believe that physical interaction with the landscape facilitates a sense of place, wellbeing, and stewardship of our natural world.” Her workshop at the Farm, “Stencil Resist with Indigo,” will be held July 12-16. For more information and to register, click here.

Photo Credits

Instructor and workshop photos courtesy the instructors.

All other photography by Steve Bjerklie.