Off The Gravel Road
Off the Gravel Road Robb Ellis is a husband, father, grandfather, educator, tradesman, and public servant with a deep-rooted commitment to small-town life and hands-on learning. Born in Los Angeles, California, Robb moved to Vermont in the 1980s, where he began his first career in law enforcement. After retiring from the field, he transitioned into the plumbing and heating industry—eventually becoming a technical trainer at FIA, where he now helps shape the next generation of skilled trades professionals across New England. Robb’s journey has taken him through Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, and now New Hampshire—where he and his wife Kristen have lived for many years. Married for over 31 years, they’ve raised three sons and are now proud grandparents to two granddaughters. In addition to his work at FIA, Robb serves on the Barnstead Select Board and as an ex officio member of the zoning board, where he brings a grounded, practical voice to local governance. He’s also the force behind Storer Ranch and Cow Camp, rural education initiatives rooted in soil health, regenerative agriculture, and trades-based learning. Through programs like the Storer Ranchers 4-H Club and partnerships with local schools, Robb is helping rural youth gain real-world skills and a sense of stewardship for the land. Having lived in small towns across New England, Robb has come to appreciate their quiet differences and shared spirit. Off the Gravel Road, his podcast, explores what makes these communities tick—sharing conversations from porches, pastures, and town halls that reflect the values, humor, and grit of life beyond the pavement.
Episodes
In this episode of Off the Gravel Road, student interviewer Amelia speaks with Frank McDonald, a candidate for Select Board in Barnstead.
Frank shares his background, including his long career with the YMCA in New York, Massachusetts, and Long Island, and his decision to move to Barnstead full time after owning a home in town since 2002. He discusses his current involvement as president of his local lake association ...
In this episode of Off the Gravel Road, student interviewer Emelia speaks with Elizabeth “Liz” Madden, a candidate for the Planning Board in Barnstead.
Liz discusses her background in municipal government, which spans approximately 40 years, and her previous experience serving on a planning board while working as an interim town administrator
Liz Madden. She shares what motivated her to run and outlines her...
In this episode of Off the Gravel Road, student interviewer Emelia speaks with Gary Madden, a candidate for Select Board in Barnstead.
Gary shares his experience serving on the Select Board for the past six years and reflects on what motivated him to first run for office after moving to town with his wife 12 years ago
Gary Madden. He discusses his desire to continue serving for another term in order to see ...
In this episode of Off the Gravel Road, student interviewer Emelia speaks with Lori Mahar, a candidate for Welfare Officer in Barnstead.
Lori shares her long history of community involvement since moving to town in 2012, including volunteering with Parks and Recreation, serving as a Selectman for three years, founding the local Farmers Market, and supporting families through the 68 Hours of Hunger program for more th...
In this episode of Off the Gravel Road, student interviewer Emelia speaks with Dr. Ian Harmon, a candidate for the Barnstead School Board.
Ian shares his background in education and higher education leadership, including earning a doctorate in education and serving as Dean of Student Success Services at New England College
Ian Harmon. He discusses his family’s connection to Barnstead, his commitment to civi...
School Board Candidate Interview: Andrew Harris
In this episode of our Community Candidate Podcast Series, Aurora interviews Andrew Harris, a candidate for School Board.
Andrew shares his background as a Barnstead resident since 2017, a mechanic and former service manager, and a father with children attending local schools. He discusses his motivation for running, which includes a focus on transparency, accountability...
In this student-led episode of Off The Gravel Road, Emilia takes the host chair and interviews Mr. Ellis about his childhood in California, the mentors who shaped him, and how a winding path through law enforcement, HVAC work, Scouting, and community service brought him to TL Storer, Storer Ranch, and the Barnstead Select Board.
Together, they explore soil health, cow camp, school partnerships, OWL adventures,...
In this episode of Off the Gravel Road, youth hosts Braelynn and Allysyn sit down with 92-year-old John Cotton, a lifelong resident of Barnstead whose family roots run deep through the town’s history. From riding his pony down Route 28 to school, to helping launch Barnstead’s Fourth of July fireworks and skating parties, John’s stories bring to life a time when neighbors knew every name, families farmed together, an...
In this episode of Off the Gravel Road, Robb Ellis and student co-host Jasmine visit Vernon Family Farm in Newfields, New Hampshire — a first-generation regenerative farm where Jeremiah and Nicole Vernon are proving that small farms can still thrive through creativity, resilience, and community.
From rotational grazing and soil health to agritourism and open space preservation, the Vernons share how they’re keeping t...
Recorded live at the Lakes Region Technology Center, this episode of Off the Gravel Road brings together Rob Johnson, Policy Director for the New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation, and Jazmine, a Prospect Mountain High School student, FFA member, and first-generation farmer.
Hosted by Robb Ellis, the conversation explores how the Farm Bureau stands up for farmers across the state — from local zoning to the U.S. Farm B...
In this episode of Off the Gravel Road, seventh-grader Aurora sits down with Dr. Tim Broderick, Superintendent of the Barnstead School District, to unpack the complex world of school funding in New Hampshire. From the renovation of Barnstead Elementary to state adequacy aid, federal grants, and the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on education funding—Aurora asks the big questions about how schools are built, staffed, ...
In this episode of Off the Gravel Road, Amity and Robb sit down with Jesse Morgan, Project Manager at Eckhardt & Johnson, to talk about what’s happening behind the walls at Barnstead Elementary School.
Jesse shares how his journey from field foreman to project manager led him to help modernize schools across New Hampshire. Together, they dig into how math, design, and creativity come together to keep classrooms c...
From the deck of a Navy destroyer to the quiet woods of Barnstead, John Starkey has spent a lifetime in service, stewardship, and stories. In this episode, John shares how a recruiting poster and a pair of white Navy bell bottoms launched a worldwide adventure that eventually led him back home to New Hampshire. We talk about his years at sea, his decades in public works, his guiding and trapping days, and the mentor...
In this episode of Off the Gravel Road, Robb sits down with longtime friend and colleague Kurt Hudson, Co-President of L.C. Anderson, a Boston-based mechanical contractor that’s been keeping New England comfortable since 1943.
Together, they trace the company’s remarkable continuity — from its 1995 sale to Kurt’s father, Warren Hudson, to its 2025 partnership with FirstCall Mechanical — and explore what it means to c...
When troubleshooting, leadership, and life all come down to one thing — asking better questions.
In this episode of Off the Gravel Road, Robb Ellis sits down with Jeff Groth, President of Ambient Temperature Corporation, to talk about the mindset shift from judger to learner — inspired by Marilee Adams’ book Change Your Questions, Change Your Life.
Jeff shares lessons from his journey with Trane, his new role leading ...
Recorded live inside the TL Storer Dining Hall during the Spirit of Adventure Council Camporee, this episode features Lucas Crispo, Lodge Chief of Penacook Lodge, Order of the Arrow.
Host Robb Ellis sits down with Lucas to explore what it means to be part of Scouting’s National Honor Society — from the meaning of the Ordeal and the spirit of cheerful service, to building leadership through hard work, teamwork, ...
In this episode of Off the Gravel Road, host Nova Johnson sits down with Adam Yelcin, youth course lead and Order of the Arrow member, to explore one of Scouting’s most transformative experiences — National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT).
Adam shares what makes NYLT so unique, from the immersive weeklong structure to the powerful lessons in communication, teamwork, and servant leadership. Listeners will hear how th...
On this episode of Off the Gravel Road, host Malachi Reed sits down with Stephen Gousie and Jerry Cross from the Spirit of Adventure Council to explore one of Scouting’s most powerful traditions — Wood Badge.
More than just a training course, Wood Badge is a deep dive into teamwork, communication, and servant leadership — lessons that reach far beyond Scouting. Stephen and Jerry share stories from their own experienc...
In this episode of Off the Gravel Road, host Robb Ellis sits down with John Judge, Scout Executive of the Spirit of Adventure Council, former CEO of the Appalachian Mountain Club, and author of The Outdoor Citizen.
From his early days teaching environmental science at camp to leading some of New England’s most respected outdoor organizations, John shares how Scouting builds more than skills — it builds resilience, le...
In this episode of Off the Gravel Road, we sit down with George “Rusty” Krause — a lifelong Barnstead resident whose name is woven through the town’s fire service, fields, and civic life.
Rusty has worn more hats than most folks could fit on a rack: engineer, farmer, fire chief, horseman, and now fire warden and public servant. He’s a man with a great sense of humor, a big heart for community, and a knack for telling...
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