Save the Date: Annual Farm to Table Dinner, September 9

Farm Pickings

News and Updates from Sanborn Mills Farm

— July 5, 2023 —

Pop-Up Lunch

and Sawmill Demonstration This Friday

The recent rains have replenished the sawmill pond to the point where we can again run the big circular saw on water power. Brian Clough will demonstrate the saw and discuss how it functions this coming Friday, July 7, at 11:30 a.m. This is a great opportunity to see the Sawmill in action — the Sanborn Mills Sawmill is the only water-powered sawmill in the United States with a functioning up-and-down saw as well as a circular saw.

Following the demonstration, stay for a pop-up lunch prepared by our Head Chef, Kelly Fahey. These popular events feature ingredients grown on the Farm.

The sawmill demonstration is open to the public. The pop-up lunch requires registration: Click here to register.

Hope to see you on Friday!

Upcoming Workshops Have Availability

Many of the workshops at Sanborn Mills Farm fill quickly, but we have a few upcoming workshops with availability. Each of these is worth investigating — don’t miss a wonderful opportunity to learn a new skill or refine an existing skill in the exquisite environment of the Farm. Click on the title of each workshop for more information and to register.

Build a Four-Lite Window Sash

August 18-20

Instructor: Kevin Schurman

Learn how to build a traditional window sash using primarily hand tools. This workshop is geared towards beginner and intermediate skill levels. Each student will take home a hand-built, four-lite, eastern white pine window sash approximately 22” x 16” and a corresponding story stick. There will be a glazing demonstration. 

Harvesting Color

August 24-27

Instructor: Sara Goodman

Fiber preparation, mordanting for cellulose and protein fibers, yard and fabric dyeing, all from dyes made from plants grown in the Farm’s Dye Garden. The workshop will also create colors from leaves, nuts, bark, wildflowers, and roots.

Gourd Birdhouses and Habitat

September 16-17

Instructors: Jenn Merrill and Dominica Pechan

Learn to utilize the natural shapes and beauty of gourds to attract an array of wild birds to your home and garden. Learn how to add your own monochromatic designs to decorate gourds with paint, ink, and pyrography tools. Students will have time to make two birdhouses.

Art of Shibori with Indigo

September 20-24

Instructor: Debbie Maddy

Several different Arashi and pole-wrapping techniques will be taught to create unusual, detailed, intricate designs. Also itajime or fold-and-clamp for dyeing plus several other techniques to achieve wonderful results with indigo-dyed fabric.

Save the Date: Annual Farm to Table Dinner, September 9

More information will be available soon, but for now circle the date Saturday, September 9, 2023 on your calendar. That evening, join us at the Farm for our annual Farm to Table Dinner featuring a delicious multiple-course meal prepared from Farm-raised ingredients by Head Chef Kelly Fahey. This don’t-miss-it even benefits the Sanborn Mills Farm Scholarship Program.

We Need You!

We’re Looking for a Registrar/Guest Relations person and a Kitchen Assistant/Sous Chef.

Both of these are staff positions. Apply today to begin your career at a truly one-of-a-kind facility: historic and beautiful Sanborn Mills Farm. Click here for more information and to apply.

Photo Credits

Top, sawmill, and luncheon photos by Lea Rossignol.

Indigo Dye photo courtesy Debbie Maddy.

All other photography by Steve Bjerklie.

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Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)

Create a great offer by adding words like “free” “personalized” “complimentary” or “customized.” A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like “for a limited time only” or “only 7 remaining”!