Farm Pickings

News and Updates from Sanborn Mills Farm

— October 18, 2023 —

In the essential prose

of things, the apple tree

stands up, emphatic

among the accidents

of the afternoon, solvent,

not to be denied.

— Wendell Berry

Save the Date!

Winter Market at Sanborn Mills Farm December 2

Pop-Up Lunches

Nov. 3, 10, 17:

Book Reading on the 3rd, Discount

for Veterans on the 10th, Thanksgiving on the 17th

The Farm’s Pop-Up Lunch coming up on Friday, Nov. 3, will be preceded by a reading by writer Melissa Moore from her new history of Loudon, N.H., “Land of Low Hills: Loudon, New Hampshire, The First 250 Years.” The book includes a history of Sanborn Mills Farm — indeed, the cover is a painting, by our neighbor Sally Cole, of the Farm in bygone days.

In honor of this year’s Veteran’s Day (Nov. 11), veterans who sign up for the Nov. 10 Pop-Up Lunch will receive a 20% discount. Use the code VET20 at checkout to receive the discount.

And don’t forget that the Lunch on Nov. 17 is our special Thanksgiving lunch. This popular event sells out quickly, so don’t hesitate to make your reservation.

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.

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

October and November Workshops with Availability

Three workshops coming up in October and November 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.

Felted Area Rugs:

Traditional Turkish Felt Beating

November 8-12

Instructor: Jo Hesse

In this five-day workshop students will make their own fully functional felt area rug. Students will learn to “kick” the felt with a dance-like rhythm that can be sustained for days on end. The majority of the workshop will take place on the floor; on the final day, students will hand-finish their rugs on a tabletop. Wool processing and purchasing as well as rug care will be discussed. All experience levels are welcome.

Blacksmithing Basics

November 17-19

Instructor: Garry Kalajian

Year in and year out, our blacksmithing workshops are among the most popular workshops we offer. But you’re in luck! We have a few spaces available for the upcoming “Blacksmithing Basics” workshop that runs November 17-19. This is a rare opportunity to sign up now for a workshop that’s normally wait-listed. If you’ve ever had an interest in exploring blacksmithing, don’t let this chance slip by. 

Gourd Birdhouse Decorating, with Education in Bird Behavior and Habitat

November 18

Instructor: Jenn Merrill

Participants in this special one-day workshop will learn to utilize the natural beauty and shapes of gourds to attract an array of wild birds to your home and garden. Many of these birds feed on flies, mosquitoes, and other insects, often resulting in a decline of bothersome insects around the home. You will have the opportunity to add your own monochromatic designs (or use provided patterns) to decorate natural gourds with the use of paint, ink, or pyrography tools. Time will allow the student to make two birdhouses, experimenting with styles, patterns, and mediums. Participants will also learn about the behavior of different cavity-nesting birds as well as how to attract specific species to your home. Gourds will be pre-drilled, sanded, and strung.

Coming Soon…

Our schedule of 2024 workshops at the Farm will be published on the Farm’s website at the end of November. You’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for the announcement — many of our workshops sell out quickly, even months in advance, so if you see a 2024 workshop on the new schedule that you’d enjoy, register soon.

Photo Credits

Top photo by Steve Bjerklie.

“Land of Low Hills” cover photo courtesy Peter E. Randall Publisher.

Winter Market and Sneak Peak graphics by Lea Rossignol.

Workshop photos courtesy the instructors.