Shibu Jose appointed dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences

The University of Minnesota has announced the appointment of Shibu Jose as dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) and director of the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES), effective February 15, 2027, pending Board of Regents approval.

With research and outreach across Minnesota and strong, trusted relationships with agricultural producers, Tribal governments, agency partners and industry leaders, CFANS and MAES have a vital responsibility to the agriculture and natural resources central to Minnesota's identity, prosperity and future — helping farmers, conservationists and rural communities innovate, adapt and thrive.

As dean and director, Jose will lead efforts that span production agriculture, natural resource stewardship, environmental health and community well-being — connecting work in University laboratories and classrooms with farms, forests and waterways throughout Minnesota and beyond.

A wealth of experience

Jose currently serves as associate dean for research in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri and director of the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station. Over nearly three decades in academia — including nearly 12 years on the faculty at the University of Florida — he has led research centers, academic departments and statewide research programs. Under his leadership at Missouri, overall food and agricultural research expenditures reached record highs, exceeding $117 million. He achieved this growth by leveraging state and university investments to secure matching support from commodity groups, federal agencies and corporate ag-tech partners.

Throughout his career at Missouri, Jose has established a proven track record of bringing on- and off-campus partners together around shared goals:

• Regenerative agriculture: Brought commodity groups, conservation groups, scientists and farmers to the same table to advance soil health and environmental sustainability practices that balance long-term stewardship with farm profitability.
• Digital agriculture: Co-founded a hub uniting producers, ag-tech companies, researchers and Extension specialists to turn complex data and new technologies into practical tools for everyday farm operations.
• Water conservation: Helped establish a statewide coalition connecting universities, state agencies, industry leaders and local communities to address shared water quality and resource conservation needs.
• Interdisciplinary science: Spearheaded research teams pairing agronomists with economists and social scientists to evaluate both the environmental performance and economic viability of emerging farming systems.

As director of Missouri's ag experiment station, Jose oversaw a statewide network of more than 14,000 acres of research farmland spanning row crops, specialty crops, livestock and forestry operations. He treated these facilities as living laboratories where researchers, students, agency partners and local producers worked side-by-side. He also spearheaded annual Mizzou Field Days across the state's research centers, bringing university teams directly onto working farms to share new technologies, crop and livestock research, and conservation practices with local producers and community members.

His commitment to student success focuses on hands-on, field-based learning and widening access to agricultural and environmental disciplines. He supported training programs and undergraduate research scholarships that enabled students to conduct field trials on public lands alongside working professionals. He is also a champion of pipeline initiatives with youth programs, high schools and community colleges to welcome students from rural, regional and underrepresented backgrounds into natural resource and agricultural careers.

An internationally recognized expert in agroforestry and natural resource sciences, Jose's work bridges interdisciplinary science with on-the-ground productivity. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Society of American Foresters, a senior member of the National Academy of Inventors and former chair of the USDA Forestry Research Advisory Council. He was also honored with the North Central Region's 2026 agInnovation Excellence in Leadership Award, honoring land-grant leaders across 12 Midwestern states who advance agricultural science, multistate collaboration, ag experiment station administration and infrastructure growth.

“Dr. Jose brings an exceptional combination of scientific accomplishment, experience leading complex research enterprises, and a genuine commitment to public service,” said Executive Vice President and Provost Gretchen Ritter. “The University is uniquely positioned to connect discovery with the needs of Minnesota and the world. I’m excited to combine Jose’s collaborative leadership with the strengths of CFANS and MAES to support the next generation of scholars and leaders, and expand the impact of our land-grant mission.”

Jose's experience will help advance the University’s Elevate Extraordinary 2030 strategic roadmap, building on core strengths while fostering new collaborations and practical outcomes across our campuses and Minnesota's farms, forests and waterways.

“I’m honored to join the University of Minnesota and a community with such an impressive tradition of statewide service,” Jose said. “The land-grant mission matters deeply to me because it brings university experts, students and staff into direct collaboration with the people it serves. CFANS and MAES have distinguished reputations, and I look forward to listening, learning and working alongside our faculty, staff, students, commodity groups, Tribal governments and community partners to advance our academic mission and turn University research into meaningful, statewide impact.”