Since 2013 the Cotton LEADS program has partnered with more than 300 companies and is now announcing the addition of several new business.  Among others, HanesBrands, Jo-Ann Fabrics, Kohl’s®; and Life Is Good® have joined the partnership.

The Cotton LEADS™ program was launched to illustrate, at a national level, the responsible production practices of cotton growers in Australia and the United States, the program’s two founding countries. At the heart of the Cotton LEADS™ program is the commitment to continuous improvement in cotton growing practices in these countries; a unique situation made possible by the strict national and regional regulatory environments; grower self-investment in research and development; and the ability to affect best practices at a national level that exists in Australia and the United States.

“The goal of the Cotton LEADS™ program,” explains Mark Messura, senior vice president of Supply Chain Marketing at Cotton Incorporated, “is to assure the industry that the cotton entering their supply chain is being produced in an increasingly responsible manner.”

Louisiana cotton grower and Cotton LEADS governing board member, Jay Hardwick shared information about the tools and practices in use by cotton growers today.  These include the Fieldprint® Calculator, which allows growers to see how decisions affect the environmental footprint of their operation.