A May, 2010 graduate of Kansas State University, Dalton earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural communications and journalism, emphasizing in agricultural economics. He grew up on and is still involved with a diversified crop and livestock operation near Randolph. He was involved in 4-H and FFA, and was elected president of the Kansas FFA Association in 2006. While a student at K-State, he was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and served in the College of Agriculture Ambassadors and a charter member of the Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter. He was Student Body President in 2009-10.