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Corey Rosenbusch: National FFA President 1996–97

Texas · No. 70 of 100 · National FFA President 1996–97

By FFApresident.com Editorial

At a Glance

Corey Rosenbusch is a case study in how the FFA presidency can lead to the business side of agriculture. A son of an agriculture teacher, he became national president in 1996, trained as an ag educator at Texas A&M, worked in international development, and then moved into Washington, D.C., where he has led two national industry associations.

Born Into FFA

Rosenbusch has told FFA he was “basically born into FFA.” His father was an agricultural science teacher and FFA advisor, and as a child he went along to FFA conferences, camps and competitions. He was born in Crawford, Texas, moved to Glen Rose at a young age, and was a member of the Glen Rose FFA chapter. His first state FFA convention came when he was in third grade.

State and National Office

He served as Texas FFA president in 1995–96 and as National FFA president in 1996–97, according to the National FFA Organization. He followed Seth Derner of Nebraska and was succeeded by Hillary Smith of Georgia.

Education and International Work

Rosenbusch earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from Texas A&M in 2001 and also holds a degree in international development from Harvard University, according to the Texas A&M department of agricultural leadership, education and communications, where he now chairs the advisory board. Early in his career he lived and worked in Indonesia, directing agricultural development programs for Texas A&M’s Borlaug Institute under a USDA-funded initiative.

Washington Career

Global Cold Chain Alliance

Rosenbusch became president and CEO of the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA), a group of trade associations for companies that move and store refrigerated food. His professional biography says he grew its revenue by 93 percent, established the industry’s first OSHA Alliance and led international expansion. He also helped launch a National FFA Alumni Association chapter near Washington.

The Fertilizer Institute

In December 2019 The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) announced that Rosenbusch would become its president and CEO, starting on February 6, 2020. On joining, he said he was excited to return to his agricultural roots as a former National FFA President and the son of an ag teacher. TFI represents fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and traders. He testified for the organization before the House Committee on Agriculture on February 28, 2023.

Other roles

Rosenbusch chairs the National Association of Manufacturers’ Council of Manufacturing Associations. He serves on the National FFA President’s Advisory Council and previously chaired the National FFA Foundation’s Individual Giving Council. He has said he decided to support FFA through his estate plan after being invited to join that council.

Why His Story Matters

Rosenbusch often points out that he uses FFA skills in almost every part of his work, from testifying before Congress to leading boards. For students who do not plan to farm, his career shows the “premier leadership” promise of FFA in a very specific form: an agricultural education degree leading into trade, policy and international development.

Next: Hillary Smith, 1997–98 →

Sources

← Seth DernerHillary Smith →

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