Charles Eric Boulden
B.S.A. (McGill), F.A.I.C

Charles Eric Boulden was born in Toronto, Ontario, on April 12, 1894, the son of Charles and Edith (Denne) Boulden. When his father was appointed President of the University of King's College in 1906, he came to Nova Scotia with the family and always called Windsor home. Following graduation from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro, N. S. in 1913, he registered at Macdonald College, St. Anne de Bellevue, P.Q. but interrupted his studies to enlist in the First University Company Princess Patricia"s Canadian Light Infantry. Soon after war was declared in 1914, he won his commission (Lieutenancy) in the field in 1916 while serving with the Royal Canadian Regiment. He was very severely wounded and invalided home in 1917. He returned to Macdonald College and graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Degree in 1918.

He was Assistant in the Department of Animal Husbandry at Macdonald College in 1918-19 and was Supervisor of Re-Educational Classes, Department of Soldiers Civil Re-Establishment in 1919.

In 1920 a boyhood dream came true and he became the owner of Sunnyslope Farm, Windsor, N. S., where he bred Jersey cattle, Clydesdale horses, Cheviot sheep, and Yorkshire swine. For the next six years he was actively engaged in farming, but during this time he was much sought after to teach at short courses and as a speaker at agricultural meetings.

When the Nova Scotia Extension Service was organized in 1926, he was appointed Agricultural Representative with headquarters at Windsor, N.S., serving Hants County and at times areas of some adjoining counties. From 1931 to 1934 he was Assistant Director of Extension Services and from 1935 to 1940 served as Superintendent of Exhibitions and Agricultural Associations, Truro, N. S.

From 1941 to 1946 he held the dual positions of Principal of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and Provincial Animal Husbandman. During this time he taught Animal Husbandry at the College and was one of the first to give formal lectures in Farm Management at that institution. In 1946 he was granted leave of absence due to ill health.

He took an active part in the formation of the Canadian Society of Technical Agriculturalists (now the Agricultural Institute of Canada), was a charter member and was elected a Fellow in 1948.

While he served with distinction in the several positions held during his professional career, his forte was as an extension field worker. He loved meeting people and was never happier than when he was visiting farmers at their homes or meeting them at agricultural meetings.

A visit to Sunnyslope Farm was an experience that passed all too quickly. He was a wonderful host. Guests were made welcome and entertained royally.

Mr. Boulden was a member of Christ Church of England, Windsor, N. S. where he served as a Warden.

He was a strong supporter of the Great War Veterans' Association and later the Canadian Legion. His professional duties prevented him from accepting office, but in 1949 he was elected Honorary President of the Hants County Branch of the Canadian Legion, the first comrade to receive that high award, and it was his great pride.

When ill health forced him to relinquish office, he retired to Sunnyslope Farm. He died on January 30, 1955, and was laid to rest in Maplewood Cemetery, Windsor, N. S.

This biography was researched by Dr. Kenneth Cox and is part of a collection of biographies prepared and presented to NSAC by the Nova Scotia Institute of Agrologists. The binders of biographies are in the Agricola Collections of the MacRae Library, NSAC.