Memphis, TN (January 6, 2025) – U.S. cotton growers can now enroll in the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol and apply for the Climate Smart Cotton Program for the 2025 crop year. These programs enable growers to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable cotton production, meeting the increasing demand for responsibly produced fiber. 

The Trust Protocol also provides growers with data and resources to choose practices that are best for their land and business. By tracking key metrics like water use, land use, and greenhouse gas emissions, growers gain valuable insights into their farm’s environmental footprint. This information empowers them to make informed decisions, optimize practices, and demonstrate progress toward a more sustainable future.   

The Climate Smart Cotton Program, led by the Trust Protocol, offers additional financial support, with three levels of involvement:  

• Level 1 – U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Membership: This foundational level provides $5 per acre up to 706 acres for enrolling in the Trust Protocol, uploading bales to the Protocol platform, and exploring the feasibility of new climate smart practices.  

• Level 2 – Implement a Climate Smart Practice Change: Growers can receive up to $45 financial risk-share for up to three years for adopting a new Climate Smart Agriculture practice change such as cover crops, no-till, strip-till, or a nutrient management plan.  

• Level 3 – Carbon Inset Payment: This level allows growers to contract for carbon inset sales based on the verified emission reductions achieved through their Climate Smart Agriculture practices.  

“We’ve seen grower membership increase each year since the program’s launch and are looking forward to welcoming growers and providing them with valuable resources in 2025,” said Daren Abney, Executive Director of the Trust Protocol. “These programs provide a clear pathway for growers to meet the increasing demand for sustainably produced cotton, enhancing profitability and strengthening growers’ position in the global marketplace.” 

Grower Enrollment Specialists are available to provide personalized, regional specific support, answering your questions and guiding you through the process for both the Trust Protocol and Climate Smart Cotton Program.  

Visit TrustUSCotton.org or email info@TrustUSCotton.org to connect with your region’s Grower Enrollment Specialist to learn more about how these programs can benefit your operation and begin the enrollment process.  

About the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol  

The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is the voluntary sustainability program for U.S. cotton growers and traceability platform for all U.S. Cotton. It brings quantifiable and verifiable goals and measurement to the issue of responsible cotton production and drives continuous improvement in six key sustainability areas: land use, soil health, water management, greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, and fiber quality. The Trust Protocol underpins and verifies U.S. cotton’s sustainability progress through sophisticated data collection and independent third-party verification.  

The Trust Protocol is also proud to lead the U.S. Climate Smart Cotton Program, a 5-year, collaborative initiative that presents a transformative opportunity for cotton growers to enhance their profitability, operations, and environmental stewardship, all while contributing to the long-term viability of the U.S. cotton industry.   

Media Contact:  
Jayci Bishop  
Jayci.bishop@hillandknowlton.com  
+1 (214) 613-0396    

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