Sharon Edelson writes in Forbes about Vidalia Mills’ cotton production.
- Vidalia Mills in Louisiana is the first mill to embed a unique digital tracer into its plant-based cotton fibers, allowing full traceability from the seed and farm all the way through production into the final clothing product.
- This traceable hybrid Pima cotton accounts for about 20% of U.S. Pima cotton production, uses less water than traditional varieties, and aims to provide transparency lacking in cotton exported abroad where it can be mixed with unethically-sourced fibers.
- Vidalia is also launching a nonprofit to educate farmers on its digital tracer to ensure that its sustainable practices are accessible to farmers nationwide.
“Vidalia is working with farmers on developing a not-for-profit that would distribute the technology to any mills or supply chains that would adhere to its standards. ‘Farmers are teaching us,’ Feibus said. ‘They’re eking a living out of a very challenging environment and are innovative, entrepreneurial and deeply committed to the land and the way of life.'”
Read the full article here.
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