Farm - Step 1:

| next step: gin >>

The first step in the t-shirt-making process is growing the cotton (surprise!).

Though the textile industry in the Carolinas has been in a constant downward spiral in the last decade, cotton grown here has been relatively stable, though more and more of it is exported for use.

Cotton in the Carolinas is typically planted in April, and harvested in October or November, at which time it is sent to a nearby facility for ginning.

Due to climate and market restrictions, as of this writing (February 2009), the cotton used in the CotC project is grown from conventional, Monsanto Roundup Ready cotton seed. However, we have a goal of continuous improvement, and will work to improve the environmental footprint of our harvest every year.

Farmer Involved:

Harvest '08: Ronnie Burleson

Harvest '09: Ronnie Burleson