Cotton Foundation News

National Cotton Council periodically disseminates information such as news releases and articles in its newsletter, Cotton's Week, regarding Cotton Foundation projects, including progress reports and announcements of new special projects.

Cotton's Week - September 2024

Cotton Foundation Hosts Federal Regulators for Midsouth Tour

The Cotton Foundation hosted 15 federal regulators from the EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs, Fish and Wildlife Service, and USDA's Office of Pesticide Management Policy for a three-and-a-half-day tour of the cotton industry in the Midsouth. The tour featured a variety of activities, including a session on cotton agronomy led by NCC Technical Services staff, a visit to the USDA-AMS Cotton Classing Office, and farm tours with six NCC producer members across Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas, and Mississippi. During the tour, attendees gained firsthand insights into pesticide regulation economic impacts on farm businesses. NCC member producers also had the chance to discuss current pest management challenges, such as input costs, pesticide availability, and pesticide resistance management. One tour attendee from the EPA commented, “The cotton folks are passionate about what they do. Cotton farming isn’t just a business, it is a part of who they are.” 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                      August 1, 2024
Contact:  Marjory Walker (901) 274-9030 mwalker@cotton.org or Kimberly Davis kdavis@cotton.org 

Southwest, Far West Cotton Producers to See Georgia Operations

Fourteen cotton producers from the Southwest and Far West cotton production regions will observe cotton operations in Georgia on August 4-9 as part of the National Cotton Council’s (NCC) 2024 Producer Information Exchange (P.I.E.) program.

Launched in 1989, the P.I.E. program is sponsored by BASF Agricultural Solutions through a grant to The Cotton Foundation. After this year’s two P.I.E. tours, more than 1,200 U.S. cotton producers will have been exposed to innovative production practices in Cotton Belt regions different than their own. Specifically, the program helps producers improve their overall farming operation efficiency by 1) gaining new perspectives in such fundamental practices as land preparation, planting, fertilization, pest control, irrigation and harvesting; and 2) observing diverse farming practices and the creative ways in which other resourceful producers use to integrate both new and traditional technologies.

The tour participants are: Arizona – Burleson Smith, Tucson; California – Kevin Gilkey, Fresno; Matthew Jasso, Dos Palos; Aaron Palmer, Blythe; Texas – Levi Ayers, Anton; Michael Block, Travis Dusek, Roger Glass and Zachary Glass, all of San Angelo; August Guettler, III, Taft; Katy Holladay and Calvin Neal, both of Lubbock; Robert Nedbalek, Mathis; and Kyle Nickelson, Littlefield.

On August 5, the group will begin their Georgia tour with a visit to Stoneville Research in Dawson to learn about cotton breeding, followed by a trip to Harvey Jordan Farms to discuss irrigating row crops. The day will also include a visit to a peanut shelling facility before an in-depth tour of the gin and warehouse at McCleskey Cotton.

The group will begin the next day’s activities at the University of Georgia in Tifton, where they will learn about the university’s micro gin and the impact of its extension programs. Other activities that day include a visit to the Georgia Museum of Agriculture, an opportunity to learn about forestry and Georgia agriculture policy at C. H. Cannon Company in Moultrie, and a final stop at the Sunbelt Ag Expo.

On August 7, the group will visit Lewis Taylor Farms to learn about Georgia’s produce and logistics. They will then observe peanut processing at Premium Peanut in Douglas, tour the Southeastern Gin Company in Surrency, and finally, witness the tobacco harvest at Reid Turner’s farm.

The tour concludes on August 8 with cotton producers visiting Herndon Farms in Lyons to observe onion and greens production, followed by a tour of Cromley Farms, and ending with an engaging port tour in Savannah.

The season’s other P.I.E. tour is currently taking Mid-South and Southeast producers through California operations from July 28 – August 2.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                           July 24, 2024
Contact:  Marjory Walker (901) 274-9030 mwalker@cotton.org or Kimberly Davis      kdavis@cotton.org 

 Mid-South, Southeast Cotton Producers to See San Joaquin Valley Agriculture

Twenty cotton producers from the Mid-South and Southeast will observe cotton and other agriculture-related operations in California’s San Joaquin Valley the week of July 28 as part of the National Cotton Council’s 2024 Producer Information Exchange (P.I.E.) Program.

After this year’s two P.I.E. tours, more than 1,200 U.S. cotton producers will have been exposed to innovative production practices in Cotton Belt regions different than their own. Launched in 1989, the P.I.E. program is sponsored by BASF Agricultural Solutions through a grant to The Cotton Foundation.

The P.I.E. program has a specific goal of helping U.S. cotton producers maximize production efficiency and improve yields and fiber quality by 1) gaining new perspectives in such fundamental practices as land preparation, planting, fertilization, pest control, irrigation and harvesting; and 2) observing diverse farming practices and the creative ways in which other resourceful producers have adopted new and existing technology. The program provides another beneficial opportunity as it fosters the sharing of information among the participants within their own Cotton Belt region as they travel together during the week.

The tour participants are: Alabama – William Miller, Grand Bay; Jonathan Sanders, Brundidge; John Watts, Selma; Arkansas – Clay Day, Tillar; William Jackson, Leachville; Georgia – Charles Nevil, Metter; Samuel Nunn, Madison; Louisiana – James Parker and Nicholas Van Mol, both of Lake Providence; Mississippi – Lewis Barksdale, Clarksdale; Gary Dyksterhouse, Greenwood; Missouri -William Hunter, Bell City; Christopher Leible, Dexter; North Carolina – Johnathan Kilpatrick, Dover; Jerry Moore, Garysburg; South Carolina – Malcolm Calhoun, Jr., Cilo; Tennessee – Willie German, Jr. and Tommy Moore, both of Somerville; Texas – Ryan Williamson, New Braunfels; and Virginia – Jason Cobb, Franklin.

These cotton producers will begin their activities in Fresno on July 29 with a briefing from the California Ginners/Growers Association, followed by a tour of the Jordan Agriculture Research Center. Their agenda also includes exploring George Soares’ agave and pistachio operations in Hanford, as well as a guided tour of the Horizon Nut Company in Tulare. 

On the following day, the group is scheduled to observe the BASF Field Trial, tour the cotton operations of Gilkey Enterprises in Corcoran, and explore additional area farms before traveling to Riverdale, where they will tour a hemp processing facility. On July 31, the producers will look at table grape/almond harvesting at Kirschenmann Farms in Bakersfield. The group will conclude their California tour on August 1 in Los Banos with a look at tomato processing at the Ingomar Packing Company, followed by a tour of Delta Farms where they will meet local growers. 

In this season’s other P.I.E. tour, set for August 4-9, Southwest and West producers will travel to the Southeast and observe farming operations in Georgia. 

The NCC's Member Services staff, in conjunction with local producer interest organizations, coordinates the P.I.E. program’s tours and participant selection.

Cotton's Week - June 2024

       NCC Announces Don Parker Memorial Scholarship 

The National Cotton Council (NCC), in collaboration with The Cotton Foundation and Mississippi State University, is honored to announce the establishment of the Don Parker Memorial Cotton Foundation Endowed Scholarship.
 
Dr. Don Parker served the NCC from 2007 to 2023, first as Manager of Integrated Pest Management and later as Vice President, Technical Services and Executive Director of the Cotton Foundation. He dedicated his career to advancing agricultural education, promotion, and inclusivity within the agriculture industry. As a visionary leader, he championed the cause of underrepresented minorities, recognizing their immense potential to shape the future of farming. This scholarship seeks to provide permanent financial support to deserving students who aspire to achieve degrees in agricultural-related programs.
 
Two tax deductible opportunities exist to honor the work of Dr. Don Parker. Larger group or corporate donors may prefer to choose the permanent endowed scholarship, while individuals may wish to make an immediate impact in Fall 2025. Follow this link to donate to either the Fall 2025 scholarship and/or the permanent endowed scholarship.

Cotton's Week - June 2024

Emerging Leaders Receive Training

Twelve U.S. cotton industry members were chosen to participate in the NCC's Emerging Leaders Program for 2024-25. Participants include: PRODUCERS – Clint Dunn, Itta Bena, MS; Lambert Marshall, Scott, AR; Greg Riccomini, Bakersfield, CA; Todd Rovey, Buckeye, AZ; Greg Sikes, Brooklet, GA; and Jack Whatley, Odem, TX; GINNERS – Nathan Goldman, Casa Grande, AZ; Daniel Luehrs, Odem, TX; MERCHANTS – Brett Edgy, Savannah, GA; Jacinta Condon, Greenville, SC; WAREHOUSER – Chris Moore, Southaven, MS, and MARKETING COOPERATIVE – Zach Flowers, Clarksdale, MS.

Supported by a grant to The Cotton Foundation from Bayer, the Emerging Leaders Program provides participants with a better understanding of how the NCC conducts its mission of ensuring the U.S. cotton industry can compete effectively and profitably in the raw cotton, oilseed and U.S.-manufactured product markets at home and abroad. Specifically, participants get an in-depth look at: 1) the U.S. cotton industry infrastructure and the issues affecting the industry’s economic well-being; 2) the U.S. political process; 3) the NCC’s programs, as well as its policy development and implementation process; 4) Cotton Council International’s activities aimed at developing and maintaining export markets for U.S. cotton, manufactured cotton products and cottonseed products; and 5) the role that Cotton Foundation members play in fostering a healthy U.S. cotton industry.

The Program, now in its ninth year, also provides participants with professional development and communications training such as presentation and business etiquette, instruction for engaging with the news media, and utilizing social media tools and tactics.

The first session in Memphis and St. Louis provided an orientation to the NCC, professional development and communication skills training and an agribusiness briefing. During the second session, class members will see policy development at the NCC’s 2025 Annual Meeting in February. The third session, to be conducted later in 2025 in Washington, DC, will provide a focus on policy implementation.

Cotton's Week - March 2024

NCC Emerging Leaders Visit Washington

The NCC’s Washington office hosted participants of the Cotton Foundation’s Emerging Leaders Program, a year-long training and educational initiative designed to give the next generation of potential NCC directors an understanding of the role the NCC plays in advocating for the U.S. cotton industry.

While in D.C., the group met with Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC); CFTC Commissioner Caroline Pham; numerous officials at USDA, including Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Trade Jason Hafemeister; Bayer Vice President and Head of North America Public Affairs Duanne Simpson; EPA Senior Advisor for Agriculture Rod Snyder; White House Senior Advisor for Public Engagement Will McIntee, who specializes in agriculture and rural issues; Ambassador Doug McKalip, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s Chief Agriculture Negotiator, and Dr. Laurie-Ann Agama, the Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Economic Affairs; and House and Senate Agriculture Committee staff.

This year’s Emerging Leader Program participants are Trey Beyer, a producer from Portland, Texas; Ryan Johnson, a producer from Wilmot, Arkansas; Kevin Madding, who works for Calcot in Bakersfield, California; Nick Marshall, a producer from Baker, Florida; John Newby, a producer from Athens, Alabama; Paula Price, who works for Cargill in Cordova; Ross Rayner, a producer from Goodyear, Arizona; Will Sanford, a producer from Prattville, Alabama; Randy Squires, a Plains Cotton Cooperative Association warehouser from Hobart, Oklahoma; Steve Stirling, a ginner from Tuscumbia, Alabama; and Blake Wilber, a producer from Tulare, California.

Cotton's Week - March 2024

High Cotton Awards Winners Recognized

The 30th High Cotton Awards recipients were recognized at the annual High Cotton Breakfast held on March 1 in Memphis. The awards, given to producers from each of the four Cotton Belt regions for growing quality U.S. cotton using regenerative practices, are supported by The Cotton Foundation with a grant from Farm Progress.
 
The 2024 honorees are: Southeast – Andy Wendland, Autaugaville, Ala.; Midsouth – Edward Greer, Rayville, La.; Southwest – Richard Gaona, Roby, Texas; and West - Jerry Rovey, Buckeye, Ariz. More information about the recipients and their operations is at https://bit.ly/4c4OkFw.

Cotton's Week - June 2023

Emerging Leaders Receive Communications Training

U.S. cotton industry members chosen for the NCC’s 2023 Emerging Leaders Program participated in sessions in Memphis and St. Louis where they received an orientation to the NCC, media training, communication skills training and briefings on key issues. 

The 12 participants are: PRODUCERS – Trey Beyer, Portland, TX; Ryan Johnson, Wilmot, AR; Nick Marshall, Baker, FL; John Newby, Athens, AL; Ross Rayner, Goodyear, AZ; Will Sanford, Prattville, AL; and Blake Wilbur, Tulare, CA; GINNERS – David Hardin, Yuma, AZ; and Steve Sterling, Tuscumbia, AL; MERCHANT – Paula Price, Cordova, TN; WAREHOUSER – Randy Squires, Hobart, OK; and COOPERATIVE – Kevin Madding, Bakersfield, CA.

Supported by a grant to The Cotton Foundation from Bayer, the Emerging Leaders Program provides participants with a better understanding of how the NCC carries out its mission of ensuring the U.S. cotton industry can compete effectively and profitably in the raw cotton, oilseed and U.S.-manufactured product markets at home and abroad.

Specifically, participants get an in-depth look at: 1) the U.S. cotton industry infrastructure and the issues affecting the industry’s economic well-being; 2) the U.S. political process; 3) the NCC’s programs, as well as its policy development and implementation process; 4) Cotton Council International’s activities aimed at developing and maintaining export markets for U.S. cotton, manufactured cotton products and cottonseed products; and 5) the role that Cotton Foundation members play in fostering a healthy U.S. cotton industry.

Now in its 11th year, the program also provides participants with professional development and communications training such as presentation skills and business etiquette instruction for engaging with the news media, and utilizing social media tools and tactics.

Cotton's Week - July 2023

MCEP Allows Cotton Belt Leaders to Tour Idaho Agriculture

Producers from eight states in the Cotton Belt toured agricultural production and processing operations in Idaho on June 25-30 as part of the NCC’s Multi-Commodity Education Program (MCEP).

Launched in 2006, the program is coordinated by NCC’s Member Services and commodity association leadership. It is supported by The Cotton Foundation with a grant from John Deere.
 
The MCEP is designed to provide its participants: 1) a better understanding of production issues/concerns faced by their peers in another geographic region; 2) observation of that region’s agronomic practices, technology utilization, cropping patterns, marketing plans and operational structure; and 3) tours of the region’s research facilities and its agricultural processing operations and related businesses relevant to the area economy.

The 2023 tour’s participants included: Daniel Baxley, Dillon, SC; Marvin Beyer, Taft, TX; Philip Edwards, Smithfield, VA; Richard Gaona, Roby, TX; Jon Jones, Floydada, TX; Jeff Hill, Gates, TN; Charlie Meyer, Stratford, CA; Brent Murphree, Mason, TN; Reid Nichols, Altus, OK; Nathan Reed, Marianna, AR; Jadee Rohner, Tempe, AZ; Martin Stoerner, Lockney, TX; Jon Whatley, Odem, TX; Brad Williams, Burlison, TN; and Greg Wuertz, Casa Grande, AZ. The group was accompanied by John Gibson, NCC’s vice president, Member Services, Cordova, TN.

The tour, which was hosted and arranged by the Idaho Barley Commission (IBC), Idaho Grain Producers Association (IGPA) and Idaho Wheat Commission, began on June 26 in Twin Falls with an overview of Idaho agriculture from staffers with IBC and IGPA. During a visit to the Riverence Trout Farm, Blue Lakes Facility, the group heard presentations on aquaculture research and commercial trout production. They also toured the Milner Dam for a presentation on Idaho water issues, visited the Oak Valley Dairy Farm and toured the McCain Foods French Fry Plant.

Later that week, the group traveled to Caribou County where they visited Gibbs Farms to tour seed potatoes before visiting Bayer for a phosphate mine tour. They also toured Bar H Bar Ranch to see public and private land grazing and toured Thunder Mountain Elk Ranch. The group was welcomed at the Idaho Farm Bureau offices and then traveled to American Falls where they toured the Driscoll Farms fresh pack potato and hay compaction facilities. They also visited a John Deere dealership, the American Falls dam, saw sugar beet production at Clinger Farms and dryland grain production at Kress Farms.

The tour concluded with visits to:  Anheuser Busch in Idaho Falls, no-till barley and mustard fields at Place Farms in Hamer, the Cubeit Hay Company, the Intermountain Bison Ranch, and Hamilton Farms in Ririe.

Cotton's Week - July 2023

PEP Participants Complete Training, Briefings  

The 2023 Policy Education Program (PEP) producer participants completed their training with a trip to Washington, DC.

The NCC’s Washington, DC, office hosted the second session of the annual Policy Education Program (PEP), which gives cotton producers an opportunity to learn about the NCC’s work and some of its most important priorities. The PEP is supported by FMC through a grant to the Cotton Foundation.
 
While in DC, the PEP participants had the opportunity to meet USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie, EPA Senior Advisor Rod Snyder, numerous House and Senate staffers of the agriculture and appropriations Committees, and Deputy Chief of Staff Chris Maneval in the Office of Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN).
 
Prior to the DC visit, the PEP participants met with NCC staff and FMC executives in Philadelphia, PA, where they had the opportunity to take part in professional development and media training. The group’s first 2023 PEP session enabled them to attend the NCC's Annual Meeting in February where they observed leadership from the seven U.S. cotton industry segments establish NCC policies.

This year’s participants were Kellum Cahoon of Engelhard, NC; Douglas Cardoza of Tipton, CA; Cassy England of Casa Grande, AZ; Tyler Furgeson of Idalou, TX; Katy Holladay of Lubbock, TX; Wesley Kirkpatrick of Tillar, AR; Lori McDonald of Corpus Christi, TX; and Todd Rovey of Buckeye, AZ.
 
Since its inception, more than 200 NCC producers have participated in the PEP.