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US cotton's leap towards sustainability & innovation

By Farms.com

In a major push for sustainable cotton farming, the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol has bolstered its support system for American cotton growers. This initiative provides crucial assistance for enrolling in the Trust Protocol and the Climate Smart Cotton Program, focusing on sustainability and innovation.

Under the leadership of Charles “Chaz” Holt and with a team of dedicated Grower Enrollment Specialists, the initiative is tailored to meet the distinct needs of growers across the Cotton Belt. This regional approach helps address specific challenges and leverage opportunities for sustainable production.

2023 marked a record year for grower enrollment, showcasing a strong commitment to environmental sustainability. The Climate Smart Cotton Program, part of this initiative, supports growers with the adoption of sustainable practices, offering both financial and technical aid. This is crucial for reducing environmental impact and improving operational efficiency.

The Trust Protocol also facilitates transparency in the cotton supply chain, making it a unique platform for brands and retailers to verify the sustainability of their cotton sources. With goals to improve land use, water management, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the initiative represents a significant step forward in sustainable agriculture.

As the deadline approaches, growers are encouraged to take advantage of the support available to them. This effort enhances cotton farming's sustainability and supports the global demand for environmentally responsible products.


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Democratizing Gene Editing - Pairwise’s Vision for the Future of Agriculture

Video: Democratizing Gene Editing - Pairwise’s Vision for the Future of Agriculture

Pairwise has built its business around an idea that runs counter to how many companies approach innovation: make transformative technology easier to access.

In this Seed World interview, CEO Tom Adams discusses why broader access to gene editing could speed crop improvement, expand innovation opportunities and help agriculture address emerging challenges. He explains why Pairwise believes no single company can solve all of agriculture's problems alone—and why making advanced breeding technologies available to more organizations could accelerate progress across the industry.

The conversation explores how consumer trust influences technology adoption, why innovations like pitless cherries and seedless blackberries matter beyond convenience, and how future crop improvements could help address labor shortages, automation, harvest efficiency and other production challenges. Adams also shares his perspective on what the industry may be underestimating about the next wave of gene editing innovation.

Watch the full interview to hear why Pairwise believes agriculture is approaching an important inflection point for gene editing, and why the pace of innovation over the next decade could surprise the industry.

Topics Covered:

o Democratizing agricultural innovation

o Consumer trust and technology adoption

o The business case for sharing innovation

o Expanding innovation beyond major crops

o Next-generation breeding technologies