USDA praised for climate-friendly cotton farming initiatives

The US cotton industry is applauding the US Department of Agriculture for promoting sustainable farming practices through its Partnership for Climate-Smart Commodities, which also includes the new Climate Smart Cotton Program run by the US Cotton Trust Protocol.

Ted Schneider, chairman of the National Cotton Council, said that the Climate Smart Cotton Program project would offer technical and financial support to more than 1,000 US cotton producers, including historically underserved producers, to advance the adoption of climate-smart practices like no-till, cover crops, and nutrient management on more than a million acres, producing more than four million bales of Climate Smart Cotton over five years.

Schneider added that the US cotton sector is dedicated to environmental protection and sustainability. The $90 million in funding for the US Climate Smart Cotton Program is a historic investment that will further strengthen their industry’s voluntary environmental stewardship efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, soil loss, and water and energy use while increasing land efficiency and soil carbon.

Cotton Incorporated, Cotton Council International, the Soil Health Institute, the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund, Alabama A&M University, North Carolina A&T University, Texas A&M University’s AgriLife Research, and Agricenter International in Memphis are all partners in the Climate Smart Cotton Program. Target’s cost-sharing contribution to the project is also appreciated by the NCC.

The initiative will be led by the US Cotton Trust Protocol, a voluntary program whose US cotton producer participants agree to supply cotton that has been grown sustainably, not only to satisfy the demands of brands and retailers in the fashion and textile industries but also to ultimately protect and preserve the environment.

Schneider said that the US cotton industry is proud to collaborate with the USDA on this crucial environmental project. They are eager to collaborate with Secretary Vilsack on upcoming climate-smart initiatives in order to increase market opportunities for US cotton as well as set an example for other countries by voluntarily adopting cutting-edge conservation techniques.