Insatiable curiosity drives Prof. Frank Rossi Ph.D. ’91, horticulture, to learn, research and teach. After nearly 30 years at Cornell, Rossi remains a curious and respected leader in horticulture and turfgrass science.
Rossi’s interest in horticulture began outside of academia. At 11 years old, he started a small lawn care business with his brother-in-law and “became enamored with the natural world, in and amongst all the paper,” he said. As an adult, Rossi dabbled in golf course management, then returned to his academic pursuits, earning a master's degree from the University of Rhode Island and a Ph.D. in weed science from Cornell.
“One of the things that’s really great about being an academic for a person like me is I'm tenaciously curious,” Rossi said. “I can't stop my curiosity about things that I've been at [for] a really long time.”
Now, as the Richard C. Call Director of the Agricultural Sciences major and a professor in the School of Integrative Plant Science, Rossi plays a key role in Cornell’s agricultural science education and research.
"I am now at the age where I can relate to students in a way that I think, makes sense to them and to me. It brings me great joy, and I think it brings the students great satisfaction,” Rossi said. “I would like to think we are rewarded from our interactions."
Today, Rossi focuses on researching the sustainability of turfgrass management, particularly in golf courses, sports fields and lawns.
To explore his passions further, Rossi started his podcast, “Frankly Speaking,” where he discusses topics related to turfgrass science, sustainability and the food industry. What started as a modest endeavor with not quite 200 downloads for five to six years has evolved into a podcast with upwards of 800 listeners, sponsors and a studio presence.
“It’s a sweet spot,” Rossi said. “I make appointments with interesting people that I'm interested in talking to about topics that I find interesting.” In addition to his research and podcast, as the director of Cornell’s Agricultural Sciences major, Rossi oversees one of the top agricultural sciences programs in the country, where he works to connect academic knowledge with real-world applications.
Putri Srijaya ’26, a student in the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, remembers taking Rossi’s “Just Food” class during her freshman year. The class explored food industry management, from the rearing of livestock to distribution. It also included field trips to various agricultural sites on and around campus, including Cornell’s Dairy Farm and Rossi’s own farm.
Srijaya appreciated Rossi’s engaging teaching style and ability to blend his practical knowledge with his academic experience.
“Professor Rossi is very energetic,” Srijaya said. “Even though the time of his class was early in the morning for me, I would always look forward to it because I was always excited to see him. As a freshman, his class made me feel very welcomed to campus and the academic environment.”
Rossi’s ability to inspire students and colleagues alike is evident in his mentoring. Srijaya notes that Rossi’s passion for his work has had a lasting impact on her own academic journey.
“Something I took from his class was just trying to be passionate about everything I do,” she says. “His curiosity was something that I very much admired about him. I tried to take that similar curious mindset into everything I do.”
Outside of the classroom, Rossi’s research and passion for sustainability extend into his personal life — Rossi and his wife run a pig farm together.
“We got into the pig business, and lo and behold, the pig business turned out to be a great home-based business for [my wife] and myself,” Rossi said.
The farm has grown significantly over the years, especially during the pandemic, where Rossi noted a 40 percent growth rate. According to their website, the farm has around 80-120 pigs, and they supply pasture-raised pork in USDA cuts and whole hogs to local restaurants and families. Additionally, the farm has chickens and alpacas.
Beyond academia and the farming industry, “Frank has always been completely dedicated to his family more than anything else,” wrote Barbara Rossi, Frank Rossi’s wife, in an email to The Sun. “He also loves volunteering and has given years at Hospicare in Ithaca.”
A Yankee fan, deli boy turned award-winning professor and leading researcher in turfgrass science — that is who Frank Rossi is.
“I am just a New York City kid, born and raised, started cutting grass as a kid and became enamored with the natural world,” Rossi said.
Rohith Tsundupalli ’28 is a Sun contributor and can be reached at rt535@cornell.edu.
