Cargill will start enrolling U.S. cotton growers in its Cargill Regen Connect regeneratively sourced cotton program next month, rewarding growers for the positive soil health practices they are already using.
This new addition to the Cargill Regen Connect portfolio furthers Cargill’s role in giving farmers access to emerging market opportunities within sustainable, traceable supply chains, opening doors to the company’s downstream customers looking to achieve their sustainable sourcing goals.
“Brands, retailers and consumers are increasingly placing sustainability at the forefront of purchasing decisions, giving rise to increased market demand for regeneratively grown cotton,” said William Barksdale, president of Cargill’s cotton business and chairman of the American Cotton Shippers Association. “Cargill is committed to playing its role in advancing sustainable cotton production practices around the world. Through the Cargill Regen Connect regeneratively sourced cotton program, we are connecting market demand to the growers actively engaged in supporting environmental stewardship through regenerative agriculture practices.”
Cargill will offer one-year contracts to growers who have implemented cover crops and reduced-till or no-till practices since Fall 2021. Cotton growers can earn a premium for each pound of regeneratively grown cotton contracted, produced and delivered to Cargill. Eligible states include Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.
Carbon sequestration achieved through Regen Connect will contribute to Cargill’s Scope 3 climate commitment and also can help the company’s downstream customers achieve their voluntary carbon reduction goals. Cargill aims to have 10 million acres enrolled in sustainable and regenerative farming programs by 2030.
Cargill has partnered with Regrow to make it easy for farmers to securely enter data to verify their use of regenerative agriculture practices through the Regrow MRV platform. Verification will be supported through in-field data, remote sensing and crop modeling.
Growers interested in maximizing the value of their regeneratively grown cotton crop can contact their Cargill sales representative or visit cargillag.com/cotton-programs. Enrollment begins in July and ends Sept. 15.