By Jamie Martin
U.S. cotton growers are invited to enroll in the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol and the Climate Smart Cotton Program for the 2025 crop year. These initiatives aim to enhance sustainable cotton production, meeting the growing demand for responsibly sourced fibre while improving growers’ profitability.
The Trust Protocol offers tools and data to help farmers adopt sustainable practices, focusing on metrics like water use, greenhouse gas emissions, and land efficiency. By analysing their environmental footprint, growers can make informed decisions to optimise their operations.
The Climate Smart Cotton Program provides additional financial support with three levels of engagement -
- Trust Protocol Membership - Enrolling in the program grants $5 per acre up to 706 acres for exploring climate-smart practices.
- Adopting New Practices - Growers can earn up to $45 per acre for three years by implementing methods like cover cropping, no-till, or nutrient management.
- Carbon Payment Opportunity - Farmers can contract carbon inset sales, earning based on verified emission reductions from sustainable 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.
Growers can access support through regional specialists who guide them through the enrollment process. Visit TrustUSCotton.org or email info@TrustUSCotton.org to learn more.
The Trust Protocol is a voluntary program focused on sustainable cotton production and traceability, leading the Climate Smart Cotton Program to support growers in achieving measurable improvements in environmental stewardship.
Photo Credit: us-cotton-trust
Categories: National