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News and Updates from Sanborn Mills Farm
Mt. Magoon No More
Now that Brian and Logan have removed Mt. Magoon, the site has been restored to a gently undulating field that blends perfectly with the surrounding hay field. The center of the plot is already green with a crop of clover and oats planted by the farm team. The service drive that leads first to the greenhouse and then to the parking area is once again aesthetically appealing.
Where did Mt Magoon go?
Because extractive mining is prohibited under the terms of the conservation easement, the dirt pile has been used to shim fields nearby that were too steep to mow safely and the truckloads of rocks have been moved to the small field next to the blacksmith teaching studio. They are awaiting their next assignment, which will probably be a root cellar across the road and rebuilding a section of the Sanborn Pond dam that needs attention.
Northern New England Fibershed Spreads Their Wings!
Over the past three years, the Northern New England Fibershed Organization (NNEF), under the fiscal sponsorship of Sanborn Mills Farm, has made remarkable strides in promoting regional textile systems across Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. After three years of support from Sanborn Mills Farm the Northern New England Fibershed is moving ahead to establish itself as a stand-alone 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
One standout achievement was the 2023 Roundtable Event, where over 65 stakeholders convened at Sanborn Mills Farm to tackle the opportunities and challenges facing the regional textile infrastructure. This important gathering was made possible through a micro-grant from Fibershed Headquarters, alongside generous support from local businesses and individuals.
NNEF has also made its mark at various fiber festivals, including New Hampshire Sheep and Wool, Maine Fiber Frolic, and The Common Ground Fair, engaging with the public and local businesses to highlight the critical importance of regional fiber systems. These outreach efforts have resulted in an impressive network, with over 2,000 contacts added to their list, amplifying their influence and connections within the community.
Last year NNEF launched a Year-Long Regional Design Challenge that invited participants to create items exclusively from local fiber supplies. This initiative sparked innovation and strengthened ties within the local textile community, showcasing the region’s wealth of talent and resources. The Challenge culminated in a Showcase held in Fifield Hall where Phyllis Marinoff won the grand prize for her linen table runner & napkins, Sara Goodman won second place for her three cashmere shawls, Theresa Walker won most creative for her Vera Vest, and Marion Dillon won most local for her Linen Jacket.
Most recently, the organization conducted a Feasibility Study for a bast fiber processing facility, supported by a micro-grant from Fibershed Headquarters. This study aimed to assess the potential for establishing a bast fiber processing facility that would benefit local fiber producers, thereby enhancing the sustainability of the regional textile economy.
A dedicated core group of volunteers has emerged, passionately committed to ensuring the future success of NNEF. Their immediate focus is on establishing the organization’s 501(c)(3) status, which will enable them to continue fundraising for ongoing regional fiber initiatives.
These collective efforts reflect NNEF’s unwavering commitment to cultivating a sustainable and resilient regional fiber system, laying a strong foundation for future growth and community engagement.
If you feel as though you might find interest in the ongoing efforts of NNEF check out their website at the link below.
Upcoming Workshops and Events
To say something requires moving a mountain to get it done implies a task worthy of one of the twelve labors of Hercules. Doing the impossible usually requires help from a deity or an unanticipated occurrence. But here at Sanborn Mills Farm members of our staff regularly achieve miracles on their own.
During this past summer the Sanborn Mills Farm team of wall builders, earth movers, gardeners and arborists realized that we were coming close to finishing the garden rock walls that give structure to the ornamental gardens on the west side of the house, and that the landscape was crying out for somebody to come along, tidy it all up , and make it feel as if it had always been there. Brian Clough and his son Logan put their shoulders to the task of removing what we affectionately have called Mt. Magoon, after Ken Magoon who has been digging at the farm with his excavators since the last John Sanborn was running the sawmill and grist mill in the 1980s.
For years now Mt. Magoon consisted of an enormous pile of rocks (New Hampsha potatoes) and a veritable mountain of dirt that were excavated from the hill next to the house to make room for the ornamental garden that leads to the new (old) greenhouse. During those years the pile provided everything needed to build the stone walls that demarcate the garden “rooms” and, once mixed with peat moss, manure, and compost, everything needed to feed the flowers, shrubs and trees that now thrive there. But it goes without saying that the agglomeration of stuff was sorely lacking in aesthetic appeal.
In this workshop, each student will work at their own pace to master the techniques used in the construction of the coat so that they will go home with a beautiful custom-fit classic coat!
This class is designed for those with some experience working at the anvil and using a coal forge, who wish to improve their skills and leave with a nice finished piece or two. 3 Spots remain!
Enrollment is now open for the 2024/25 Natural Dye Study Group. This group aims to create ways for people interested in natural dyes to share their work over the winter, ask questions, share resources, and deepen their connection to the Natural Dyes.
Each year we invite our talented workshop instructors to sell their wares at our annual Winter Market. Warm refreshments are available for purchase in the Sanborn Barn Dining Hall. This year’s Winter Market will be held on Saturday, December 7th at 10 A.M.
Sanborn Mills Farm | www.sanbornmills.org
Sanborn Mills Farm | 7097 Sanborn Road | Loudon, NH 03307 US