U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Launches Level 2 Climate Smart Cotton Program for Growers
Image By Courtesy of US COTTON PROTOCOL
Growers Can Receive Financial Support for Up to Three Years by Participating
MEMPHIS, TENN (June 18, 2024) — The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is pleased to announce that U.S. cotton growers can now enroll in the Climate Smart Cotton Program Level 2. This initiative, spearheaded by the Trust Protocol, offers Level 1 growers the opportunity to secure additional financial support for integrating Climate Smart Agriculture practices into their operations.
With the implementation of these practices, growers may be eligible to receive up to $45 per acre for three years. The financial incentives are structured as follows:
· $35/acre for three years if you plant any cover crop, single or mixed species, for the first time in the past three years.
· $5/acre if you begin to manage a field with no-till or strip-till farming practices for the first time.
· $5/acre if you add your nutrient management plan information in addition to implementing a new cover crop or tillage practice.
"Participating in Level 2 of the Climate Smart Cotton Program provides growers with the chance to de-risk the implementation and adoption of Climate Smart Agriculture practices," said Charles “Chaz” Holt, U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Director of Field Programs. "This year, we have also added additional practice options, increasing the number of growers eligible to participate in this level."
Requirements for Level 2 Enrollment
To qualify for Level 2, growers must:
· Meet Level 1 requirements.
· Adopt a new Climate Smart Agriculture practice.
· Verify practice adoption.
· Participate in soil health target setting.
· Quantify greenhouse gas emissions on all practice change acres.
Support Available for Growers
Grower Enrollment Specialists are available to assist throughout the enrollment process. Interested growers can get in touch with their regional representative by emailing info@trustuscotton.org.
For more information, visit Climate Smart Cotton Program.
About the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol
The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is the voluntary sustainability program for U.S. cotton growers and a traceability platform for all U.S. Cotton. It is the only system that offers quantifiable, verifiable goals and measurements, driving continuous improvement in six key sustainability metrics—land use, soil carbon, water management, soil loss, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy efficiency. Additionally, it is the first sustainable cotton fiber program globally to offer article-level supply chain transparency to all members.
The Trust Protocol also proudly leads the U.S. Climate Smart Cotton Program, a five-year collaborative initiative that presents a transformative opportunity for cotton growers. This program enhances profitability, operations, and environmental stewardship while contributing to the long-term viability of the U.S. cotton industry.
