John Cranfield appointed Ontario Agricultural College dean

Dr. John Cranfield, interim dean of the University of Guelph’s Ontario Agricultural College (OAC), officially took over the position on March 1.

A long-standing and respected University of Guelph, department of Food, Agricultural Resources and Economics (FARE) faculty member, Cranfield stepped in as OAC’s interim dean in July 2023.

“OAC is truly an incredible place,” says Cranfield. “As I led OAC during its 150th anniversary last year, I was reminded of the college’s storied legacy and enduring relevance in addressing global challenges in food, agriculture, rural communities and the environment. I am honoured to continue advancing this legacy.”

Cranfield said he’ll focus on elevating OAC’s local strength, national leadership and global impact as a leader in scientific research and applied learning focused on agriculture, food, the environment and more.

As interim dean, he helped raise funds for the Honey Bee Research Centre, key research chairs, scholarships and renovations to Johnston Hall.

He also assisted in developing the Foundations in Agricultural Management program in conjunction with RBC.