Shoreham, VT--Bob Growney bought his one man, portable mill in 1988. At the time, he was the second operation of that kind in the state. Now there are approximately 10 independent millers in Vermont. Growney's mill is essentially a saw on a trailer. On a good day he can produce around 1600 board feet. Vermont Family Forest has turned to Growney a couple of times to do some of their smaller logging jobs and Growney is very appreciative of their business. 
Growney works in a draft barn to keep the wood dry and protected. 
Stacks of birch milled by Growney await transport to the kiln.
As part of the LaForce job, VFF asked Growney to go through the SmartWood certification process. For Growney this has entailed moving his mill to a covered location to keep the wood dry and fresh, some paper work, and lots of record keeping. "It is almost to the point where every log is numbered," Growney said. "There is a lot of honesty in the certification. I am obligated to do everything I can to get the most usable timber out of low grade logs." And that is precisely why VFF turns to Growney. Using the smaller blade of his mill he is able to salvage boards from low quality logs, logs that a bigger mill might immediately dismiss as firewood or pulp. 
Bob Growney pushes a fresh cut board from his portable mill in Shoreham.
Next: Gagnon's Sawmill