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
LorrenJoyce Farm: Family, Land, and Community
On this episode of Off the Gravel Road, Robb Ellis sits down with Amy Matarozzo of LorrenJoyce Farm in Barnstead, NH. From milking her first cows as a child to building a farm from scratch with her husband Brian, Amy shares a journey of perseverance, community, and love for the land. Together, they’ve raised Jersey cows and Hereford beef, homeschooled their children, and served as leaders in the New Hampshire Farm Bureau.
Amy opens up about the hurdles of being a first-generation farmer, the daily rhythm of balancing chores with homeschooling, and the vital role farms play in preserving open space and soil health. With stories of cows on the loose, old farm equipment still running strong, and neighbors rallying in support, this conversation is a window into the grit and grace of rural life.
Whether you’re a farmer, neighbor, or someone who values community and open land, Amy’s story is a reminder that farming is about more than profit—it’s about people, stewardship, and a deep connection to place.
LorrenJoyce Farm is a family farm dedicated to producing quality products that are grown with compassion, integrity and pride. We specialize in pasture raised beef, jersey cow raw milk and farm fresh eggs. We are focused around the health and well-being of our animals, in order to create the best product possible!
LorrenJoyce Farm was started in December of 2013 by Amy & Brian Matarozzo. The farm began operating at its first location in Londonderry, New Hampshire . As the farm operati
