I am Dan, a husband and a Dad, a brother and a son, as well as a musician and outdoor adventurer. I was raised in the shadow of Mt Taranaki, sparking keen interest in agriculture and nature from early on. Before my 21st birthday I had spent two full years dairy farming, getting more and more curious about the science of agriculture. I put myself into every situation where I could grow more knowledge, including applying for a scholarship to attend a 21 day course at Outward Bound with a group of young farmers. 

The words of Kurt Hahn: “there is more in you than you think” inspired me to consider the previously unthinkable: attending university. Less than 4 months later I had enrolled in a Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree at Lincoln, and I was beginning to discover the healthy balance of studying both the Ecology and Agriculture spheres at the same time. Long story short, my last semester combined Advanced Ecology with a research paper studying dairy cow breeding technologies and I graduated in 2012 with a BAgSci (1st Class Honours) and a flair for creative problem solving.

Jumping back on where I left off, I went back into the dairy industry milking cows and was soon employed as a rural professional in-and-around the Manawatu, utilising my knowledge of agricultural science and genetics while almost forgetting my ecological bent. After five years ascending to a full dairy consultancy role, getting married and learning to be a father, I was unable to not see the limitations of the conventional agricultural mindset, especially around environmental management, and I stumbled into an enquiry: what can I offer the world of agriculture with my integrity intact?

I was subsequently employed as a Land Management Advisor for local government, which offered a very different perspective and many learning opportunities. Unfortunately (or fortunately), I also discovered immovable limitations to the environmental planning mindset, leading me to realise there was slim chance of making an integrous contribution here either.

In 2020, with a growing young family to play a key role in, it was now or never to create my company, ReconAg Limited, where I could be operating with the full range of my knowledge and integrity. Finally, I was helping to bring ecology and agriculture together again- through the vehicle of holistic farm planning services.

My work is and always has been focused on agriculture with an ecological lens, leaning into the future with courage and consideration. I have experienced a wide range of agricultural practices and given advice in many areas, including genetics, economics, employment relations, water quality and agroforestry.

A strong view I hold now is that ‘actions are more powerful than words’, yet, many actions go unnoticed while words are over-amplified. When on-farm actions are able to be translated into types of communication that can be understood (for example by customers, land custodians and officials), we find that most parties are interested in similar questions regarding a particular farm, and through further, careful exploration, opportunities emerge that didn’t exist before. 

To help enable this, I create maps and images; risk assessments; and customised farm plans. My intention is to offer my diverse knowledge and perspective as member of the Natural Performance team, contributing towards health-promoting services and outcomes for you and your land. 

I look forward to meeting you!