The Highfields team is saddened by the recent loss of a fellow composter and friend.  Josh Nelson died unexpectedly in his home in Pawlett last Sunday as he was preparing to leave for a major launch of the Agrilab Isobar Compost Heat Exchange techonogly, which Josh had been instrumental in bringing into Northeast farming.  

Josh has been involved in composting for several decades, most recently putting his shoulder into advancing compost heat recovery.  Josh and the IsoBar Technology was recently nominated to attend the Unreasonable Institute in Boulder Colorado, where he hoped to bring the Isobar technology to a broader market and expand the capture of compost heat. Josh has been involved in composting for several decades, most recently putting his shoulder into advancing compost heat recovery. compost heat.

We have been honored to work with someone as dedicated to this work as Josh has been, and we are saddened not only at the loss of a partner, but also in the fact that Josh’s work was moving ahead in wonderful ways.  Josh was nothing short of a good man.  We are touched to have had the opportunity to work with Josh and are resolved to pursue research and education in compost heat recovery as fulfilling part of Josh’s legacy.

Our greatest thanks to Josh for his work.  Our most heartfelt thoughts extend to Josh’s family.

For life and with thanks
The Highfields Crew

Obituary:

Joshua Nelson, 57, a resident of Pawlet, passed away unexpectedly on June 4, 2012 at Rutland Regional Medical Center. Joshua was born in Manhasset, Long Island on May 11, 1955 the son of Norbert and Virginia (Trostler) Nelson. He attended the Hunn School in Princeton, New Jersey, received his Bachelor Degree from Ohio State University and his Masters from the School of International Training in Brattleboro, Vermont.

As a man with contagious enthusiasm, Joshua had the analytics and compassion to solve the world's problems. His mind never stopped, and he worked (almost always for himself) in a myriad of fields; international development, worm farming, inventing, marketing, composting, agriculture and design. He loved the ocean, but his larger-than-life personality relished in the grounding nature of the mountains. Among so many things, he enjoyed playing music with his community of friends for his dog, Mullberry, and hashing out dreams with his daughter Dana.

Joshua is survived by his daughter Dana Nelson who currently resides in Tahoe City, California. He is also survived by his sisters, Beth Anne Meachem and her husband Bruce of Manchester, Vermont, and Sarah Jane Nelson of Londonderry, New Hampshire, along with loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

At the request of the family, a celebration of his life will be held in mid-August. If friend’s desire, memorial gifts in Joshua’s memory may be made to Friends of Haystack, c/o Brewster Funeral service P.O. Box 885, Manchester Center, Vermont 05255.

To send the family personal email condolences, please visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.