The 2023 Beltwide Cotton Conferences kicked off in New Orleans Tuesday with the consultants conference and an update on the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol from president Gary Adams.

Launched in 2020, the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is a farm level, science-based program designed to set a new standard in more sustainably grown cotton. Adams says membership in the program grew from about 600 growers in 2021 to between 800 and 900 in 2022 and increased substantially across the value chain as well. “We enroll mills and manufacturers…and now that’s about 1100 companies from over 30 countries that have joined,” said Adams. “And then those end use customers and we have approximately 30 major brands and retailers, such as Gap and Levi’s.”

Adams notes that the Cotton Trust Protocol was the recipient of a USDA Climate Smart project grant that will be undertaken in 2023. “The objective is to enroll 1,650 U.S. cotton farmers into the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol,” said Adams, who is also president and CEO of National Cotton Council.

Listen to Adams’ remarks at the Beltwide and a summary interview below:
2023 Beltwide Cotton - U.S. Cotton Protocol Update 25:34