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Stewarding the Forest:
From Conservation to Craft
With over 500 acres of working forest and approximately 2,000 contiguous acres of conserved land, Sanborn Mills’ woodland is managed for ecological health, resilience, and future generations. We view the forest as a living system—harvested thoughtfully, regenerated intentionally, and used to deepen connections between land, craft, and community.
Our sawmill is central to this story and has served the region for nearly two centuries. Designed and built by Theodore Farnum Elliot in 1829, replacing an earlier 1770s mill, the structure features hand-hewn and up-and-down sawn timbers joined with traditional mortise-and-tenon construction. Restored over a decade and brought fully back into operation in 2021, Sanborn Mills is now believed to be the only water-powered sawmill in the United States with both a working circular saw and a working up-and-down saw.
Logs harvested from the property are milled on-site into 1-inch boards, dimensional lumber, and custom timbers. Milling here allows us to use trees often overlooked by commercial markets and to create boards and planks with the distinctive marks and character of historic milling—textures and irregularities that modern technology cannot replicate.
While much of our lumber is used across the farm, Fifield Hall’s timbers, dining tables, dormitory furniture, and many workshop materials are made from our own lumber. Our milling operations are run by Brian Clough, our Mills and Land Division Manager, and his son Logan Clough, a father-and-son team who carry forward the working knowledge and care that define the mill’s craft tradition. We are expanding into the local market, offering specialty lumber to builders, craftspeople, and organizations seeking historically authentic materials. This continues the mill’s long role in supporting the region and strengthens ties between sustainable forestry, heritage building practices, and local economies. For inquiries about lumber or custom milling, please contact Brian Clough at brian@sanbornmills.org.
Most logs are extracted using draft animals, a low-impact method that protects soils and understory plants while connecting modern forestry to historical land-use practices. The oxen teams are led by Ray Ramsey and Tyler Allen, who guide the animals in carefully skidding logs from the forest.
Trees grown, harvested, milled, and shaped here become the structures and objects that support learning and gathering. By continuing to mill lumber through authentic historic processes, we honor the legacy of this place while building materials for the future.
Help Wanted
Sanborn Mills Farm is now hiring for the following positions.
Summer Farm Assistant: Full-time, seasonal, 13 weeks, flexible start and end dates. Support daily operations during the busy growing season and enjoy hands-on work, outdoor environments, and learning both traditional and modern farming practices.
Horse Teamster/Farm Hand: Full-time, year-round. Looking for a highly skilled and experienced Horse Teamster & Working Farm Operator who brings their own well‑trained draft horse team. Work includes field preparation, logging, transportation, and public‑facing activities such as wagon rides, sleigh rides, and special events, as well as routine farm tasks.
Farm Cook: Full-time, seasonal, April-October: Help prepare meals and keep the galley and food storage areas clean. Responsible for food preparation, dish washing, and cleaning/sanitizing the kitchen.
Sanborn Mills Farm | 7097 Sanborn Road | Loudon, NH 03307 US
Explore the ancient technique of twining and transform waxed linen and reed into bold, sculptural woven forms in this immersive five-day workshop.
Carve a traditional fan bird while learning centuries-old European woodcarving techniques, with guided practice and a finished bird to take home.