The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol recently announced that 2.34 million planted acres nationwide now provide field-level data through the program for the 2026 crop year—representing nearly one in four of the 9.85 million total U.S. cotton acres planted this season. In Arizona, growers have stepped up with 13,175 planted acres enrolled, accounting for approximately 16% of the state’s 85,000 planted cotton acres, according to USDA data.

This strong Arizona participation underscores the commitment of the state’s cotton producers to responsible and transparent farming practices amid a challenging economic environment. Arizona growers continue to face fluctuating input costs, extreme weather variability in the desert Southwest, and shifting market conditions—yet they are voluntarily providing detailed sustainability data to strengthen the U.S. cotton, including Arizona-grown fiber, in global markets.

By joining the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, Arizona growers gain access to actionable, data-driven insights that help them better understand their environmental footprint, refine irrigation and farming practices suited to arid conditions, and improve overall operational efficiency.

“The growers enrolled in the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol—including those across Arizona—are the foundation of a more transparent and responsible U.S. cotton supply chain,” said Marjory Walker, Co-Director of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. “Their dedication, especially given the unique challenges facing cotton production in the Southwest this season, enables brands and retailers worldwide to source independently verified, traceable U.S. Cotton and show real progress on sustainability commitments.”

The Trust Protocol supports both growers and downstream partners. For brands and retailers, the program delivers robust traceability, allowing them to track U.S. Cotton, Protocol Cotton, and now U.S. Regenerative Cotton from field to finished product.

The Trust Protocol’s Field Partner Program formally recognizes and verifies regenerative agriculture practices at the field level. As it scales, the program is delivering verified, traceable regenerative cotton at meaningful volumes—helping brands meet sourcing and reporting goals while addressing rising consumer demand for responsibly produced fiber.

“What is most encouraging about where the program is today is that through the Field Partner Program, we are not just recognizing responsible production through the field-level data provided by our growers, we are building a scalable, credible pathway for regenerative cotton,” Walker added. “The Field Partner Program brings the science-based verification and market connectivity that allow this work to be recognized, rewarded, and acted on by brands.”

The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol currently includes more than 2,800 mill and manufacturer members across 56 countries, along with more than 55 global companies and brands such as Ralph Lauren, PVH Corp., Walmart, adidas, Under Armour, Levi’s, Carhartt, and Gymshark. Arizona’s contribution of 13,175 acres demonstrates the state’s important role in advancing a more sustainable and transparent domestic cotton supply chain.