Pickings from Sanborn Mills Farm

Farm Pickings

News and Updates from Sanborn Mills Farm

— May 8, 2024 —

She turned to the sunlight

    And shook her yellow head,

And whispered to her neighbor:

    “Winter is dead.”

~~ A.A. Milne, When We Were Very Young

Farm to Table Lunches In May, June

Our May and June schedule for our popular Farm to Table Lunches is now set. Enjoy a delicious meal made by our Head Chef Kelly Fahey with fresh ingredients grown here at the Farm. Some of the lunches include demonstrations of traditional skills and equipment we use at Sanborn Mills Farm.

The Lunches are on Thursday, and the May and June dates include May 16 and 30 and June 6, 13, 20, amd 27. More information and a link for registration is here on our website.

Upcoming Workshops of Interest

Sanborn Mills Farm’s 2024 Workshop Program is now underway, but it’s never too early to register for a favorite workshop later in the schedule. Many of our workshops fill quickly, so if there’s a workshop or two that catches your interest, make a point to register soon. The full schedule of 2024 workshops is posted on our website here.

Here are three upcoming workshops that may be of particular interest to you. Click on the workshop title for more information and to register.

Traditional Shetland Hap Shawl

June 8

Instructor: Donna Kay

Shetlanders are famous for their beautiful “one piece” shawl construction. Learn a simple, modern method for knitting a traditional hap (everyday) shawl from the center out while keeping the details that make a Shetland shawl unique. We will knit a sample size in class using traditional yarns and pattern stitches, including knitting on a lace edging. Students will leave with instructions for a full size shawl. Students must be proficient at knitting and purling and have some lace knitting experience.

Bowl Turning on the Pole Lathe

June 8-9

Instructor: Eric Goodson

Come learn to turn a wooden bowl on a foot-powered pole lathe. For a thousand years these simple, hand-built machines were used to turn all sorts of wooden products. This course will teach participants how to prepare a bowl blank with an ax, how to turn that blank into a bowl using turning hooks and various techniques, and how to finish the bowl with drying oils, paint, and other finishes. Successfully using a pole lathe requires a certain amount of stamina and coordination, so students should be prepared for a physically demanding class.

Decorations In Iron

June 8-9

Instructor: Garry Kalajian

Lines, lobes, and dimples, subtly applied, can add an understated elegance to ironwork, and filing can enhance the effect. Large pieces can be decorated and smaller, discrete pieces can be used as a necklace pendant, a zipper fob, or a belt buckle. In this workshop, participants will be introduced to the tools and techniques and guiding to make rosettes for towel holders or curtain tiebacks, a decorative back to a door pull, and a leaf for a key fob or pendant. Ideas or previously made work to be enhanced are welcome. Basic forge skills are recommended, especially experience heating iron using a coal forge.

Save the Date: Open Farm Day June 16

Mark your calendar for our popular Open Farm Day at Sanborn Mills Farm, this year on June 16. During the day you and your family and friends can tour our extensive grounds, take garden tours, watch sawmill and grist mill demonstrations, and meet our friendly draft animals up close. More information here.

www.sanbornmills.org

Photo Credits

Top photo by Steve Bjerklie.

Farm to Table Lunch photo by Lea Rossignol.

Workshop photos courtesy the instructors.

Bottom photo by Steve Bjerklie.