Participant Grower Benefits
U.S. cotton growers have arguably led the world in innovation, quality and responsible stewardship, but there is little awareness for the work that you’ve done to produce more sustainably grown cotton. As the demand for more sustainably produced products increases and priorities are changing among brands and retailers, U.S. cotton growers need to be able to evidence their past and future commitments to sustainability.
Sustainable and Risk-Free, Guaranteed
The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol® Participant Grower Benefits
U.S. cotton growers have traditionally led the world in innovation, quality and responsible stewardship, but there is little awareness for the work that you’ve done to produce more sustainably grown cotton. Brands and retailers are under more pressure to set ambitious sustainability goals and prove that they are doing their part to combat climate change, but they lack the data to do so. As the demand for more sustainably produced products increases, U.S. cotton growers need to be able to show their past and future commitments to sustainability. The U.S. needs to demonstrate that we are a leader in sustainable growing practices with data. The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol® provides brands and retailers with a measurable sustainability program that helps U.S. cotton growers demonstrate continuous improvement through a data-backed and third-party verified program and therefore gives the brands and retailers the confidence they need to source U.S. cotton.
By committing to the sustainability measures and signing up for the Trust Protocol, you unlock
- Access to peer data to baseline your own operation
- Verified data year-over-year
- Closer communication with your end-use customer
- Insights and best practices from across the industry
Most importantly you get the opportunity to demonstrate your sustainable stewardship.
Participant growers will also receive:
- Use of the Trust Protocol logo to market your cotton
- Confidential access to third-party, verified sustainability performance metrics of your operations
- Customized reporting of U.S. cotton’s aggregate sustainability metrics
- Recognition on the Trust Protocol website as a participant grower
- Regular grower communications of Trust Protocol news and other information
Meet the Growers
“After graduating from Mississippi State University, I returned to our family operation, helping my father produce corn, soybeans, wheat, timber, cattle, peanuts, and cotton. I’ve worked on the farm since I was probably 14, and I’ve never missed a year," said Taylor. "I care deeply about the sustainability of our land, practicing precision farming and advocating for best practices, conserving the soil and wildlife. In addition to cotton growing, I also have made a career in ginning the natural product. I’ve been involved with the National Cotton Council serving as Chairman in 201 and was President of the National Cotton Ginners Association. I was also selected as the 2015 recipient of the Cotton Grower Cotton Achievement Award.”
Sledge Taylor, U.S Cotton Trust Protocol Grower
February 2021
“We joined the Trust Protocol because U.S. cotton is the gold standard. The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol gives us the opportunity to verify and prove to everyone why we are among the more sustainable cotton growers in the world. The standards of U.S. cotton-growing practices are second to none. Our protection of the soil and the environment are hallmarks of our continued dedication to keep raising the bar.”
Nick McMichen, U.S Cotton Trust Protocol Grower
March 2021
“With the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, U.S. growers have our own verification program. It’s grower-friendly and really easy to enroll. The U.S. cotton grower has always been sustainable and now we have a verification process that our retailers need. This will keep U.S. cotton at the forefront and be the choice of cotton for the world.”
Jimmy Webb, U.S Cotton Trust Protocol Grower
April 2021
“The farm we operate has been in the family for 125 years. I have two grandchildren and have high hopes that they could make seven generations farming in south Texas. I am very excited to share with marketers and retailers the story behind our cotton.”
Debra Barrett, U.S Cotton Trust Protocol Grower
May 2021
“We want to be sustainable in all that we do and want the youngest generation to have a chance to farm if they want to.”
Kent Dunn, U.S Cotton Trust Protocol Grower
June 2021
The Future of U.S. Cotton
We want to help cotton producers continue improving their sustainability commitments. In this video, cotton growers share why the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is important to them and to the future of U.S. cotton.
Episode 2 of Smarter Conversations
Covid-19 and Sustainability
The podcast discusses the Economist Intelligence Unit’s research on the different sustainability challenges within the fashion and textile industries. Our participants also talk about how the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol can help tackle those challenges.
