Dan Oulton was born into a farming family in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley.
He attended the Nova Scotia Agricultural College (now Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Agriculture) and studied Environmental Biology with a minor in Animal Science. In his last year of school, an issue within the family business made him realize that many professions that work with farmers actually don’t have a full grasp of the business of agriculture.
He decided to earn his law degree from Dalhousie University, with the plan to focus on agricultural law in the Valley. And he’s done just that.
“My practice focuses on agricultural law and family businesses, which, in Kings County, are usually the same thing.”
Dan’s clients benefit from his own experience as both a business owner and a farmer; he and his wife own a garden centre and a poultry farm, and also help run his father’s beef farm. He knows the issues they face first-hand.
“It’s very much the same as regular business law, but with some differences. While a business owner may plan one to three years ahead, a farmer plans one to three decades ahead. Successful farmers are successful business people.”
When not in the office, Dan can be found at early morning meetings about irrigation and late-night seeding sessions.
“I enjoy every aspect of what I do. Work is my play!”
Dan also has two sons and a daughter, and helps out with his eldest’s hockey team. He also enjoys skiing.
