Boss, Andrew, 1867-1947

Andrew Boss, diploma, (1891) School of Agriculture, University Farm; instructor (1892), assistant professor (1894), associate professor (1902), professor (1905-1910), Division of Animal Husbandry; professor, (1909-1926) Agronomy and Farm Management; professor, Agricultural Economics (1926-1928).

Andrew Boss, diploma, (1891) School of Agriculture, University Farm; instructor (1892), assistant professor (1894), associate professor (1902), professor (1905-1910), Division of Animal Husbandry; professor, (1909-1926) Agronomy and Farm Management; professor, Agricultural Economics (1926-1928).

Administrative positions: Acting chief (1905-1910), Division of Animal Husbandry; chief (1909-1926), Division of Agronomy and Farm Management; chief, division of Farm Management, Agronomy and Plant Genetics (1926-1928); vice-director (1917-1936), Agricultural Experiment Station; acting associate director (1944), Agricultural Experiment Station. Renowned authority on crops and livestock and a pioneer in the field of farm management.

Andrew Boss was born June 3, 1867 near Lake City in Wabasha County, Minnesota. Boss and Willett Hays were among the first agricultural academics to conduct farm record studies, which formed the basis for several generations of farm management instruction and research. They were also responsible for the first systematic distribution of crop varietals to Minnesota farmers. Boss authored the standard textbook on farm management, Modern Farm Management, published in 1914, and is considered to be the founder of modern farm management. Boss also helped organize the American Farm Management Association in 1910 (later known as the American Farm Economic Association).

Andrew Boss joined the faculty at the University of Minnesota in 1892. He served in a variety of academic and administrative positions at the University over a 44 year period. Boss retired in 1937, but returned temporarily to head the Agricultural Experiment Station when then director Frank Immer was called into service overseas. Boss was awarded an honorary doctor of science degree in 1927 from Kansas State Agricultural College, and in 1945 by the University of Minnesota. Andrew Boss died on January 13, 1947.