Off The Gravel Road: Introduction and Community Programs

In the inaugural episode of Off The Gravel Road, host Robb Ellis introduces himself and shares his journey from Los Angeles to New England, where he now spearheads various community programs. Rob details the impactful initiatives such as the SOAR afterschool program, Outdoor Wilderness Learning (OWL), the National Safe Tractor Machinery Operation Program, and Cow Camp. These programs focus on teaching hands-on skills, conservation, soil health, and fostering a sense of resilience and discovery in young people. The episode also touches on the history of the Theodore Lyman Store Scout Reservation and its transformation into a hub for youth development and land stewardship.

00:00 Welcome to Off The Gravel Road
00:58 Meet Your Host: Robb Ellis
02:05 Introducing Our Youth Programs
06:17 The Importance of Soil Health
07:33 Reviving the Legacy of Teal Store Scout Reservation
10:10 Hands-On Learning at Store Ranch
12:06 The Magic of Cow Camp
15:14 The Role of Goats in Land Management
17:46 Conclusion and Future Episodes