MEMPHIS – U.S. cotton growers have been invited to enrol in the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol and apply for the Climate Smart Cotton Programme for the 2025 crop year. These initiatives are designed to help growers showcase their commitment to sustainable cotton production in response to the growing demand for more responsibly produced fibres.
The Trust Protocol offers growers essential data and resources to identify better practices that suit their land and business needs. By tracking crucial environmental metrics such as water and land use and greenhouse gas emissions, participants gain valuable insights into their farm’s environmental impact. This knowledge allows them to make informed decisions, optimise their operations, and demonstrate progress toward sustainability.
The Climate Smart Cotton Program, which is led by the Trust Protocol, provides financial incentives at three levels of participation. The foundational level, Membership in the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, offers US$5 per acre for up to 706 acres for growers who enrol, upload their cotton bales to the Protocol platform, and explore climate-smart farming methods.
The second level, Implementing a Climate Smart Practice Change, provides up to US$45 per acre for up to three years to support the adoption of new agricultural practices, such as using cover crops, employing no-till or strip-till techniques, or developing a nutrient management plan.
The third level, Carbon Inset Payment, allows growers to engage in contracts for carbon inset sales based on the verified reductions in emissions achieved through their climate-smart practices.
Daren Abney, executive director of the Trust Protocol, says grower membership has steadily increased each year since the programme’s inception. Abney said these programmes provide a clear framework for growers to meet the rising demand for sustainable cotton, improve profitability, and bolster their standing in the global market.
To assist growers with the enrolment process, grower enrolment specialists are available to provide personalised, region-specific support, answer questions, and offer guidance. Growers interested in learning more about the benefits of these programmes or beginning their enrolment can visit TrustUSCotton.org or email info@TrustUSCotton.org to connect with a specialist in their area.
The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is a voluntary sustainability and traceability programme designed to support U.S. cotton growers. It focuses on driving measurable improvements in six critical areas of sustainability: land use, soil health, water management, greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, and fibre quality.