MEMPHIS, TENN (March 30, 2022) – The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol announced today that due to demand, the deadline for growers to enroll and complete their data entry for the 2021/22 cotton crop is extended until April 30.
Launched in 2020, the program was designed to set a new standard in more sustainably grown cotton, ensuring that it contributes to the protection and preservation of the planet, using the most sustainable and responsible techniques. The Trust Protocol is an industry-wide initiative to promote U.S. cotton to brands and retailers as a sustainable fiber produced by growers that strive for continuous improvement.
“We’ve received a lot of interest in the program recently by U.S. cotton growers and wanted to provide additional time to complete enrollment during what we know is a busy time of year,” said Dr. Gary Adams, president of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. “Additionally, producers who enroll in the program and complete their data entry before the extended deadline will have an opportunity to receive a potential redistribution of program revenue.”
To aid with enrollment, the Trust Protocol has also rolled out two additional avenues to streamline the process. First, growers can authorize their crop consultant to help ensure that necessary information is entered and accurate. Second, if growers utilize the John Deere Operations Center, they can pre-populate up to 40% of the data needed to complete their Fieldprint analysis through the platform.
“The Trust Protocol can be a valuable asset to a grower’s operation and the U.S. cotton industry can only succeed if there is participation,” said Barry Evans, a Trust Protocol grower member from Texas. “I would encourage all of my fellow cotton growers to join me in enrolling.”
To complete online enrollment and data entry growers can visit trustuscotton.org before the extended April 30 deadline. If growers have questions or would like help with enrollment, reach out to the Grower Help Desk at growers@trustuscotton.org.
The Trust Protocol has welcomed more than 560 brand, retailer, mill and manufacturer members since its launch in 2020. This includes J.Crew, Madewell, Levi Strauss & Co. and, Gap Inc. as well as global apparel manufacturer Gildan. The Trust Protocol has also welcomed UK retailers Tesco and Next Plc.
The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, recognized by Textile Exchange and Forum for the Future, and part of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cotton 2025 Sustainable Cotton Challenge, Cotton 2040 and Cotton Up initiatives. The program has also been recognized and published in the ITC Standards Map.
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About the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol
In a period of ever-greater supply chain scrutiny and growing demand for transparency, the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol sets a new standard for more sustainably grown cotton. It brings quantifiable and verifiable goals and measurement to responsibly-grown cotton production and drives continuous improvement in key sustainability metrics.
The Trust Protocol underpins and verifies U.S. cotton’s progress through sophisticated data collection and independent third-party verification. Choosing Trust Protocol cotton will give brands and retailers the critical assurances they need that the cotton fiber element of their supply chain is more sustainably grown with lower environmental risk. Brands and retailers will gain access to U.S. cotton with sustainability credentials proven via Field to Market, measured via the Fieldprint Calculator and verified with Control Union Certifications.
The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is overseen by a multi-stakeholder Board of Directors comprised of representatives from brands and retailers, civil society and independent sustainability experts as well as the cotton-growing industry, including growers, ginners, merchants, wholesalers and cooperatives, mills and cottonseed handlers.
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