Cotton Confidence: Trust Protocol Sees Record Growth
The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is marking its sixth straight year of growth—and that momentum includes many of you listening right now.
For the 2025 crop year, enrolled acreage jumped to 2.58 million acres—a solid 18% increase from last year. And behind those acres? Over 1,500 growers now participating nationwide, a 14% uptick from 2024.
The Trust Protocol is a voluntary sustainability program tailored to U.S. cotton producers. By enrolling, growers receive data-driven insights to better understand their environmental footprint, fine-tune their practices, and boost efficiency on the ground. It’s a way to keep one eye on the bottom line while also showing the world what responsible production looks like.
Daren Abney, Executive Director of the Trust Protocol, says this continued growth highlights the value farmers see in the program—especially during times of uncertain markets, high input costs, and unpredictable weather.
For growers, it opens doors to global markets. For brands like Levi’s, Carhartt, and Ralph Lauren, it offers traceable sourcing and sustainability assurances.
You can learn more about the program at https://trustuscotton.org
