The Georgia Cotton Commission reminds producers that enrollment is open for the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol 2023 crop year and will remain open through Sept. 1. It provides growers the opportunity to complete data entry prior to harvest.
The Trust Protocol is a voluntary, farm level science-based sustainability program that sets a new standard for delivering value to all stakeholders across the supply chain from farms to finished products. The program’s mission is to bring quantifiable and verifiable goals and measurement to the key sustainability metrics of U.S. cotton production.
Six Metrics
The Trust Protocol drives constant improvement in six key sustainability metrics– land use, soil carbon, water management, soil loss, greenhouse gas emissions and energy efficiency.
“With the Trust Protocol all of our work begins with growers and as we look to continuously improve the program and provide further value, we’re pleased to share the updated grower enrollment timing will better align with peak cotton marketing dates,” said Gary Adams, president of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. “Knowing that more than half of the U.S. cotton crop is marketed within a critical three-month window beginning at the height of ginning in November, the transition will allow members’ cotton to be verified as Protocol Cotton on their initial Electronic Warehouse Receipt.”
The Trust Protocol has welcomed more than 1,200 brand, retailer, mill and manufacturer members, including Levi Strauss & Co., Old Navy, Gap, American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. and J.Crew.
Farmers that are enrolled in the Trust Protocol are eligible to participate in the Climate Smart Cotton Program, providing technical and financial assistance to 1,650 growers with acres available for Climate Smart practice changes.
To complete enrollment and data entry for the 2023 crop year ahead of the September 1 deadline, growers can visit TrustUSCotton.org. For enrollment assistance, contact info@trustuscotton.org.
Source: U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol