Pickings from Sanborn Mills Farm

Farm Pickings

News and Updates from Sanborn Mills Farm

— September 6, 2023 —

Pop-Up Lunch and Garden Tour Sept. 14; Thresher Demo Coming!

The Farm’s Pop-Up Lunch coming up on Sept. 14 will be preceded by a special tour of the Farm’s spectacular gardens hosted by our head gardener Helen Westergren. This is an event not to be missed!

And keep an eye out for an upcoming Pop-Up Lunch that will include a demonstration of our 100-year-old threshing machine.

Our Pop-Up Lunches, prepared by head chef Kelly Fahey, offer a delicious array of foods grown right here on the Farm — a true farm-to-table experience. Demonstrations begin at 11:30 a.m. and require check-in at our reception desk in the Main House.

To see the full calendar of upcoming Pop-Up Lunches and to register, click here.

Bend and Brunch!

First we Bend… then we Brunch at the Farm!

Stacey Morin from Powerful YOU Yoga will lead a Yoga class at Sanborn Mills Farm on Sunday, Sept. 17, beginning at 10 a.m., followed by a special brunch prepared by the Farm’s head chef Kelly Fahey.

This is a limited-availability event, so don’t hesitate to register. Registration is via Eventbrite, NOT through the Farm’s usual website — click here for full information and to register.

September and October Workshops with Availability

Two workshops coming up later this month and in October at Sanborn Mills Farm offer unique opportunities to learn new skills. Our workshops typically fill quickly, so now’s the time to register for these classes. Click on the title of each workshop for more information and to register.

Blacksmithing: Forged Rings

September 23-24

Instructor: Garry Kalajian

Learn how to form and forge weld the ends of a bar to form a ring and how to form the ends to form a pivot joint suitable to a door knocker. Students can then work on a project of their choosing, including a door knocker, hand towel holder, gate pull, or hitching post ring. Door knocker makers will be shown and guided in making one of the endless varieties of decorative chisel-cut strike and mounting plates and a pivot ring. Experience managing a coal fire recommended but not required.

Ikat, Shibori & Indigo: New Paths for Ancient Partners

October 18-22

Instructors: Mary Zicafoose and Sara Goodman

This intensive workshop will teach techniques drawing from two honored traditions: Indigo and Ikat. Students will learn how to establish, use, and maintain a natural indigo vat, dipping both yarn and fabric. Some introductory shibori techniques will be taught on commercially woven cloth. Students will also be instructed in the precise and sequential steps to plan, measure, stretch, wrap, dye, unwrap and weave yarn for warp ikat weaving applications. Participants in this five-day workshop will design, wrap, dye, warp and weave a classic indigo blue and white ikat scarf, while learning the basic technique of the shifted warp ikat process.

Photo Credits

Top photo of the Dye Garden by Colin Cabot.

Garden Tour photo by Steve Bjerklie.

Workshop photos courtesy the instructors.