U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Growers Can Now Apply for Level 2 Climate Smart Cotton Program

By Cotton Grower Staff|June 24, 2024

The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol announced that U.S. cotton growers can now enroll in Climate Smart Cotton Program Level 2.

This program, led by the Trust Protocol, gives Level 1 growers the opportunity to receive additional financial support for implementing Climate Smart Practice Changes into their operations.

With implementation of these climate smart practices, growers can be eligible to receive up to $45 per acre for three years:

Qualify for $35/acre for three years for planting any cover crop, single or mixed species, for the first time in the past three years.
Qualify for $5/acre for managing a field with no-till or strip-till farming practices for the first time.
Qualify for $5/acre for adding nutrient management plan information in addition to implementing a new cover crop or tillage practice.

“Participating in Level 2 of the Climate Smart Cotton Program gives growers the opportunity to de-risk the implementation and adoption of Climate Smart Agriculture practices,” says Charles “Chaz” Holt, U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Director of Field Programs. “Additional practice options were also added this year, increasing the number of growers eligible to participate in the level.”

To qualify for Level 2, growers must meet Level 1 requirements, adopt a new Climate Smart Agriculture practice, verify practice adoption, participate in soil health target setting, and quantify greenhouse gas emissions on all practice change acres.