Aaron Budge, PhD

Dr. Aaron Budge was appointed as the Interim Executive Director for the School of Applied Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources (AAFNR), effective July 31.

The Executive Director, School of AAFRN will provide innovative, equity-minded and creative leadership to fulfill the vision of the school to be the front door to attracting students and developing regional partnerships to bring big ideas, real-world thinking, and inspired action to become the talent hub to sustain and grow the agriculture and food industry throughout the State of Minnesota and Upper Midwest. Dr. Budge will direct the work of the School of AAFNR, overseeing engagement and outreach with communities throughout the state; pursuing grant programs specifically designed for emerging farmers and meeting regional workforce needs; working with faculty across colleges to identify new curricular and programming opportunities; and collaborating with and serving on boards of various external agriculture and food-related organizations.

Dr. Budge has been associated with several regional and campus-level initiatives relating to Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources in recent years.  He has served on the Advisory Board for the Minnesota State Southern Agricultural Center of Excellence for four years as a member of the Advisory Council of Partner Institutions.  Dr. Budge has also served as a member of the GreenSeam Futures Board for nearly three years, as one of the inaugural members of that group.  He worked with Dr. Brian Martensen to establish the Institute for Regenerative Resources and AgriSciences several years ago, where Jeremy Geske has served as the Director since inception. Dr. Budge has also been engaged with the AFNR Affinity Group on campus for many years. While serving as Acting Dean and Associate Dean for the College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Dr. Budge worked with college faculty to establish both the Agricultural Science program and the recently approved Agronomy program, which is a partnership with South Central College.  Having grown-up on an angus beef farm in Northern Utah, he is excited to continue to contribute to Agriculture, Food and Natural Resource initiatives on campus and in the regional community.

Dr. Budge earned a doctorate of philosophy, a master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering with Geotechnical Engineering emphasis from Utah State University.

Dr. Budge most recently served as Associate Dean and for over four years as Acting Dean of the College of Science Engineering & Technology.  The official launch of the new School of Applied Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources took place on October 7, 2024.