Bridging the Cotton Belt: Georgia Grower Gains Fresh Insights on PIE Tour

From Georgia to the far reaches of the Southwest, cotton growers face a mix of challenges—some unique to their region, others all too familiar. On a recent National Cotton Council Producer Information Exchange, or PIE, Tour, Georgia grower Carson Cross says the chance to connect with fellow producers across The Cotton Belt was invaluable.

“From where I’m at in east Georgia to west Texas it’s just different. They grow wide-row cotton, we grow narrow-row cotton just because of water issues. It was very eye opening and a good experience.

Despite the differences as far as growing strategies and weather, Cross says there were similarities in the big picture challenges as well as a good exchange of ideas as to how to continue promoting cotton. As for the tour itself, well let’s just say he’s a fan…

“First of all, you get to meet new people and you get to see new things. I like doing that. That was a big thing for me. I know guys here that went on a PIE Tour before and they told me that, if you ever get the experience, you need to go on a PIE tour. So, when I got the opportunity, I decided to take it.

Carson Cross, Georgia cotton grower.

Interview Courtesy of the National Cotton Council of America