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.
Off The Gravel Road
“Shaping Barnstead: Roots, Growth, and Community with Nancy Carr”
In this episode of Off the Gravel Road, we sit down with Nancy Carr—planning board chair, town moderator, and longtime community leader. From childhood memories of gravel roads and ice skating on the river, to the explosive growth of Locke Lake Colony, to preparing Barnstead for its 300th anniversary, Nancy offers a heartfelt look at how small towns evolve while holding on to their roots.
She shares stories of family traditions in civic service, the challenges of balancing growth with preservation, and the importance of local democracy at town meeting. Along the way, we dive into old home day celebrations, gravel road favorites, and the landmarks that still make Barnstead feel like home.
This is more than a conversation about zoning and planning—it’s about community, history, and the people who make Barnstead thrive.
