The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol just announced that Under Armour, Inc. (NYSE: UA, UAA), a global leader in athletic performance apparel, footwear, and accessories, has joined its membership. This strengthens efforts to advance more responsible, and transparent cotton sourcing in the United States. Walmart also recently joined the program, further expanding its reach and impact across retail and supply chains.

This membership reflects Under Armour’s commitment to supporting the U.S. cotton farmers who help bring its products to life, including Arizona producers who have actively enrolled in the Trust Protocol. Arizona cotton farmers continue to demonstrate leadership in sustainable practices, with thousands of acres enrolled in recent years through efforts supported by the Arizona Farm Bureau and state grower organizations. Through the Trust Protocol, brands gain access to verified, field-level data across key environmental metrics, including water use, greenhouse gas emissions, soil health, and land use—data that Arizona growers help generate through their participation.

As a tangible step in the membership, Under Armour will pilot the use of cotton tracked through the Trust Protocol this Fall, in all graphic tees within their Freedom collection. A line dedicated to supporting and honoring military personnel, veterans, and first responders.

“Under Armour believes performance starts with the materials we choose. Where and how our cotton is grown matters,” said Aaron Driggers, Director of Sustainability at Under Armour. “We are thrilled to join the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol and strengthen our ability to build better products for athletes while advancing transparency across our supply chain.”

 

Who and What the Trust Protocol Does

The Trust Protocol is a voluntary, field-level sustainability and traceability program for U.S. Cotton distinguished by its measurable, verifiable approach to fostering responsible cotton production and driving ongoing improvements across key sustainability indicators. The framework enables Under Armour to track progress over time and validate improvements across critical environmental indicators. Walmart’s recent membership similarly provides the retailer with access to aggregated, verifiable data on sustainability practices from U.S. cotton growers, including those in Arizona, enhancing transparency at scale.

“We are pleased to welcome Under Armour, a brand with a strong commitment to innovation and a global reach, to the Trust Protocol,” said Dr. Gary Adams, President of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. “Under Armour is building its legacy on performance and technical excellence and embodies the spirit of consistent improvement that drives athletes. The Trust Protocol’s data-driven approach directly aligns with those values and will help the brand strengthen its commitment to sustainable sourcing.”

Arizona cotton farmers’ growing participation in the program underscores the state’s role in supplying high-quality, responsibly produced cotton that meets the demands of leading brands like Under Armour and Walmart.

How Cotton Producers Can Join

Here's a clear, step-by-step guide on how a cotton farmer joins the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol.

1. Visit the Official Website: Go to TrustUSCotton.org.
 Look for the “Join Now” or “Enroll Today” button (often prominent on the homepage or under the Growers section). This starts the registration process on the secure Protocol Platform.

2. Create or Log In to Your Account

  • Click “Join Now” to register if you’re new.
  • Once registered, you’ll gain access to your personalized dashboard.

3. Complete the Six Enrollment Steps: From your dashboard, you’ll follow six required steps, which typically include:

  • Completing the Grower Self-Assessment Questionnaire (a detailed but straightforward self-assessment covering key areas like soil health, nutrient management, water management, crop protection, biodiversity, fiber quality/traceability, farm management, and worker well-being).
  • Engaging with the Fieldprint Calculator (to help measure and track your farm’s environmental performance).
  • Signing the Farmer Commitment Statement.
  • Providing basic farm and field information (acres, location, etc.).

The questionnaire is designed to highlight best management practices already in use on U.S. farms and identify opportunities for continuous improvement. Your individual responses stay confidential; only aggregated data is shared.

4. Submit and Verify (if selected)

  • After submission, some growers may be selected for second- or third-party verification to confirm the accuracy of the information provided.
  • Your gin, merchant, or cooperative (aggregator) often helps coordinate parts of this process.

Important Timing for Enrollment

Enrollment is annually open from January through April, with the deadline for this year April 30. 

Arizona-Specific Notes

Arizona cotton farmers have been actively joining, with thousands of acres enrolled in recent years (for example, about 18,500 acres were part of the program in one recent season). The program fits well with Arizona’s focus on water-efficient and soil-health practices in a desert environment. Many Arizona growers work through local channels, and the Arizona Farm Bureau frequently shares updates and encourages participation.

Benefits for Farmers

    • Data-Driven Decisions: Understand your farm's footprint, optimize operations, and improve efficiency with actionable insights. Demonstrate your commitment to responsible practices through measurement and verification.
    • Continuous Improvement: Access resources and support to continuously evaluate and improve your operation and efficiencies.
    • Meet Growing Demand: Demonstrate your commitment to sustainable cotton production and meet increasing demand for responsibly sourced fiber from brands and retailers.
    • Field Partner Program Opportunity: Provides producers a voluntary program to evidence regenerative practices while providing brands and retailers access to verified, traceable regenerative U.S. Cotton at scale.
    • Enhanced Market Access and Visibility: Connect your product with brands and retailers actively seeking responsibly sourced cotton, expanding your market opportunities.
    • National Recognition: Demonstrate your commitment to responsible cotton production through participation in an established national sustainability program.

The entire process is voluntary and designed to be practical for busy farmers. It helps demonstrate the high standards of U.S. and Arizona cotton while opening doors to brands demanding more transparency.

For the most up-to-date details or to begin enrollment right away, head to https://trustuscotton.org or email info@TrustUSCotton.org.