By Scout Nelson
The University of Minnesota has selected Shibu Jose as the new dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) and director of the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES).
His appointment is expected to begin on February 15, 2027, pending approval by the University's Board of Regents. The appointment brings an experienced agricultural leader to one of the nation's important land-grant universities.
CFANS and MAES play a major role in supporting agriculture, natural resources, environmental health, and rural communities across Minnesota. Through research, education, and outreach programs, these institutions work closely with farmers, businesses, government agencies, Tribal governments, and community organizations.
As dean and director, Jose will oversee efforts that connect university research and classroom learning with real-world agricultural and environmental needs. His leadership will help strengthen programs related to farming, forestry, conservation, water resources, and community development.
The goal is to ensure that research findings and educational programs provide practical benefits to people across Minnesota and beyond.
Jose currently serves as associate dean for research in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri. He also leads the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station.
Throughout nearly 30 years in higher education, he has held several leadership positions and managed research centers, academic departments, and statewide programs.
One of his notable achievements at Missouri is helping increase agricultural research funding to record levels. Under his leadership, food and agricultural research expenditure exceeded $117 million.
He accomplished this by building strong partnerships with commodity groups, government agencies, universities, and private agricultural technology companies.
Jose has earned recognition for bringing different groups together to solve agricultural challenges. His work in regenerative agriculture encourages cooperation among farmers, scientists, conservation organizations, and industry groups. These efforts focus on improving soil health while maintaining farm productivity and profitability.
He has also played an important role in advancing digital agriculture. By helping create collaborative programs, he supported the development of practical tools that use data and technology to improve farm decision-making. These efforts help producers adopt modern technologies and use information more effectively in daily operations.
Water conservation has been another key focus of his work. Jose helped establish partnerships involving universities, public agencies, industry leaders, and local communities. These groups worked together to address water quality concerns and improve resource management practices.
In addition, he promoted interdisciplinary research by connecting experts from different fields. Agronomists, economists, environmental specialists, and social scientists collaborated on projects that examine both environmental performance and economic results. This approach helped ensure that new farming methods were practical as well as sustainable.
As director of Missouri's agricultural experiment station, Jose managed a statewide network of more than 14,000 acres of research land. These facilities supported studies involving row crops, specialty crops, livestock, and forestry. The research farms served as outdoor classrooms and testing sites where students, scientists, producers, and community partners could work together.
He also expanded educational outreach through annual field events held across Missouri. These programs gave farmers and community members direct access to the latest research, technologies, conservation practices, and production methods. The events helped strengthen connections between university experts and agricultural communities.
Student success remains a central part of Jose's leadership philosophy. Throughout his career, he has supported hands-on learning opportunities that allow students to gain real-world experience. He encouraged participation in field research projects and scholarship programs that expose students to agricultural and environmental careers.
Jose has also worked to increase access to agricultural education. He supported partnerships with youth organizations, high schools, and community colleges. These efforts helped introduce students from rural, regional, and underrepresented backgrounds to careers in agriculture and natural resources.
Beyond his administrative experience, Jose is widely recognized for his expertise in agroforestry and natural resource sciences. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Society of American Foresters. He is also a senior member of the National Academy of Inventors and previously served as chair of the USDA Forestry Research Advisory Council.
His contributions to agricultural leadership were further recognized when he received the North Central Region's 2026 agInnovation Excellence in Leadership Award. The award honors individuals who advance agricultural research, collaboration, and innovation across the Midwest.
“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.”
University leaders believe Jose's appointment will support the institution's long-term goals while encouraging new partnerships and practical solutions for agriculture, natural resources, and environmental challenges.
“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.”
Photo Credit: Shibu Jose
Categories: Minnesota, Education