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LATEST NEWS
New Video by Kapas Organic Cotton: Economic and Environmental Justice in Organic Cotton
Kapas seeks to solidify India's position as the world's largest producer of organic cotton, by addressing not just the cotton production issue, but readying the commercial chain from seed through finished garments. This film explains the importance of cotton in the global and Indian economies, describes the challenges, and introduces the Kapas program.
Find out more about the Kapas program here
The Observer has announced the shortlist for its annual ethical awards...
... and the shortlist includes Veja!
The Observer Ethical Awards are now in their seventh year of celebrating the projects, businesses, ideas, campaigns and activists making sustainable change a reality. The Observer's Lucy Siegle who founded the awards said of this year's judging, “There was real energy in the judging process this year. Notably this year we focused on dynamic supply chains and looked for projects and individuals that took a global view of environmental issues and understood how interconnected we all are. In the run up to Rio+20 we really felt we had the wind in our sails. All of our winners are ready to fight for ecological and social justice on our behalf.”
Sainsbury's CEO speaks out about new sourcing strategy and buying direct
Sainsbury’s CEO Justin King has attributed growth in the supermarket operator's clothing business to an increase in space combined with a strong underlying product.
Sainsbury's clothing is "not necessarily the cheapest", but that it "absolutely delivers on our core 'live well for less' ethics".
There has also been a shift to what he describes as the "new thrift", a "recognition that value for money is more than a cheap price, and our clothing reflects that," using "better materials, Fair Trade and organic cotton."
Read the full article in Just-Style
International Year of Cooperatives: TE releases organic cotton coop stories 7th - 18th May!
2012 has been recognised as the International Year of Co-operatives (IYC) by the United Nations. This is an acknowledgement by the international community that co-operatives drive the economy, respond to social change, are resilient to the global economic crisis and are serious, successful businesses creating jobs in all sectors.
prAna April blog series on organic
Nicole Bassett, Director of Responsibility at prAna: While I was going to university I worked at a natural foods market. I got the job to pay my bills and had no idea how much that job would change my life. I have a whole new perspective of how I am connected to the environment and other people.
It was there I was first exposed to the idea of ORGANIC. As I learned more I soon realized why organic was important. [read Nicole's blog here]
The Second African Organic Conference Mainstreaming organic agriculture in the African development agenda took place in Lusaka, Zambia, from May 2 to 4, 2012. The conference provided an opportunity to showcase the contribution that organic agriculture already makes and discuss how it could be scaled up to meet the combined needs of more food production, maintaining the environment and increasing income.
Read the Conference Declaration here http://africanorganicconference.com/index.php/news/50-conference-declaration
More information at www.africanorganicconference.com
H&M launch new sustainbility report
Textile Exchange members and the world's biggest user of orgaic cotton, H&M, this month launch their Conscious Actions Sustainability Report 2011.
"Cotton is the material we use most. It is a natural, renewable material with many advantages, but conventionally grown cotton can have heavy impacts on the environment. That is why we have set the target to use only cotton from sustainable sources by 2020 at the latest. We are already the biggest user of organic cotton in the world and we plan to further increase our use..." H&M
Dr. Jane Dever named to National Genetic Resources Advisory Council
Dr. Jane Dever, Texas AgriLife Research cotton geneticist at Lubbock, was recently appointed to a two-year term on the National Genetic Resources Advisory Council, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture news release.
As a scientific member, Dever’s overall role is to provide scientific advice related to her expertise, which includes classical plant breeding, germplasm collections, protecting genetic resources and genetic diversity.
"I hope to be able to emphasize the important role of the public plant breeder in genetic resource preservation,” Dever said. “I plan to work to ensure that policies and procedures are in place so all farmers have access to new genetic improvements, including those who raise organic and low-input crops.”
Disney raises awareness of organic cotton in Times Square
A 60 second video produced by Anvil is currently running on the six-story high Disney Store Digital Billboard in Times Square! An Anvil version of this video will be released for Earth Day (and we will feature on the TE Farm Hub).
Equally exciting is the fact that Disney has produced a Disney 365 video about their "Friends For Change" program presented by Austin & Ally from the Disney Channel and featuring Disney's very own organic t-shirts made by Anvil. You can find the video on the Disney Channel or check it out here on youtube.
PLUS: For a limited time, DisneyStore.com/TrackMyT offers a free music download when you track a t-shirt – the song is Rise by the McClain sisters (who were featured recently at the White House).
We follow American brand Alabama Chanin on their journey of discovery
Excerpts from the latest journal entry...
05.4.2012 The Heart: Updates from the Field We left off two weeks ago in search of a two-row planter that will help get our cottonseed in the ground. Fortunately, we were able to find one locally. The planter’s shovels have been adjusted. The soil has been finely chopped. There have been conference calls between the field, the Factory office, and Kelly’s office in Texas. More thanks to Kelly Pepper. [read more]
04.20.2012 The Heart: Planting Yesterday, a well awaited package was delivered to the Factory: organic, or “black” cottonseed, as I’ve learned it is called. In our effort to grow organic cotton, we’ve taken a step-by-step approach. We started with the seed, and now we move on to the land. We are learning as we go, and taking every experience to heart.
The search for seed began and taught us some of the important facts of organic cotton and cottonseed. Organizations like Textile Exchange and Texas Organic Cotton Marketing Cooperative lent their support and gave us direction in our search for non-GMO, non-treated cottonseed. In our conversation with Lynda Grose at Sustainable Cotton Project, Lynda shared her thoughts on organic, sustainable textiles, and the importance of knowing and working with your local farmers. [read more]
NEWS ARCHIVES
Farmer In Focus
MOBIOM (Helvetas) (Mali, Africa CFA)
No. of Farmers: 6500
We have organic cotton: Yes
Crops we grow commercially include: Bissap, Cashew, Groundnut/Peanut, Maize, Sesame, Shea
Farmer message: "Pour les producteurs malien le coton biologique est vu comme un produit noble "KOORI HORON", car sa production evite toute endettement vis a vis des tiers."
Trading Post
Having trouble getting your head around all the in-house jargon? Check out our new Glossary pages - available now.
WE ARE 10 YEARS OLD!
Help us celebrate our 10th birthday...
Ten of the world's most progressive and innovative textile brands and retailers share their journeys. Follow them here
We prepared a series of organic cotton coop stories in support of International Year of the Coop. Click here to view...
MAY 2012
The Farm Team brings you a regular digest of the latest developments in organic cotton farming, sustainability, impacts, and responsible business practice. Follow us here.
Latest Blog: MOVING UP TO THE GOLD STANDARD OF ORGANIC
Simon Cooper, Chair of Textile Exchange Europe comments on TE's new Farm & Fiber Report. Continue reading
2011: A Year In Pictures
Big Numbers
241,697 mt
1.1 %
15 %
23
275,300
30 %
20 %
40-72 %
6
0
28 %
>75 %
35 %
40 %
25 %
Newsletter
- Anvil Knitwear sponsors the Farm Hub
- Cotton Conversations
- Cotton Futures: Visioning workshop
- The year of the co-operative
- Comparing organic and conventional cotton systems in Benin
- Controlling pests in organic cotton
- Corseda: organic silk project
- India, the Cotton Export Ban and Thereafter
- Anvil Knitwear patrocina el Enlace de Fincas
- Boletín GOTS
- Plataforma Comunitaria Mundial del Algodón Orgánico
- Conversaciones del algodón
- Futuro del algodón: Taller para visionarios
- Guía para expertos sobre el algodón y la sostenibilidad
- El año de la cooperativa
- 4ª Conferencia Internacional sobre el desarrollo del sector orgánico en Europa central y oriental y en Asia central
- 2ª Conferencia Orgánica de África
- Comparación de los sistemas convencional y orgánico en Benín
- Control de plagas en el algodón orgánico
- Corseda: Proyecto de seda orgánica
- India: La prohibición a las exportaciones del algodón y lo que vino después
- Anvil Knitwear le sponsor de l’Interface des Producteurs
- La newsletter de GOTS
- La Plateforme Mondiale de la Communauté du Coton Bio
- Conversations sur le coton
- L’Avenir du coton : l’Atelier de visualisation
- Le Guide des initiés sur le Coton et la Durabilité
- L’Année des Coopératives
- La 4e Conférence Internationale sur le développement du secteur biologique dans l’Europe Centrale et de l’Est et l’Asie Centrale
- La 2e Conférence Africaine sur l’Agriculture Biologique
- Comparaison des systèmes de coton biologique et conventionnel au Bénin
- Le contrôle des ravageurs du coton bio
- Corseda: le projet de soie bio
- Inde, l’interdiction de l’exportation de coton et les conséquences
- The year in review
- The year ahead
- The year of the co-operative
- The 2nd African organic conference
- Controlling pests in organic cotton
- A roadmap to convert Madhya Pradesh into an organic state
- Resumen del año
- El año que nos viene
- El año internacional de las cooperativas
- Segunda Conferencia africana sobre agricultura orgánica
- Control de plagas en el algodón orgánico
- Hoja de ruta para convertir Madhya Pradesh en un Estado orgánico
- La rétrospective de l’année écoulée
- L’année qui nous attend
- L’année des coopératives
- La 2e Conférence Africaine sur l’Agriculture Biologique
- Comment contrôler les ravageurs du coton bio
- L’itinéraire pour transformer Madhya Pradesh en un état bio
- Organic agriculture holds key to addressing climate change
- Global Seed Movement grows 'organically'
- Eliminating obsolete endosulfan from Benin
- Organic cotton helps to bring the Peulh ethnicity out of isolation
- Peruvian Govt places 10 year ban on GMOs
- Country of the Year, India takes centre stage at the 2011 BioFach
- Carta de Liesl
- Bienvenido a nuestro nuevo Blog de Fincas de TE
- Noticias sobre el Encuentro de Fincas
- Informe Fincas y Fibra de 2011
- Jornada de campo otoñal
- La agricultura orgánica parece ser la clave para mitigar el cambio climático y adaptarse a él
- Eliminar el endosulfán obsoleto en Benín
- El algodón orgánico contribuye a sacar a la etnia Peul del aislamiento
- Informe de Paraguay
- BioFach 2011 India
- L’agriculture bio apporte des solutions à l’atténuation et l’adaptation aux changements climatiques
- Le Mouvement Mondial des Semences devient « biologique »
- L’élimination des stocks d’endosulfan du Bénin : l’OBEPAB et le Ministère de l’Agriculture s’engagent dans la sensibilisation des populations dans les régions rurales
- En Afrique de l’Ouest le coton bio aide à sortir de la marginalisation l’ethnie Peuhl
- Pays de l’Année, l’Inde sous les projecteurs au BioFach 2011
- Trading Post ready for business
- Pre-conference cotton dialogues
- Remei sponsorship
- Barcelona conference update
- Interview: Helmy Aboulesh, Sekem
- Global Cotton Production in West Africa
- Use of Images in Training, West Africa
- Crop rotation, Latin America
- Organic Cotton with a vision of sustainability, Nicaragua
- India: University of Agricultural Sciences Dharwar, an introduction
- Anuncios comerciales para empresas
- Preconferencia Diálogos sobre Algodón
- Remei patrocina nuestro Encuentro de Fincas
- Última hora de la Conferencia de Barcelona de Textile Exchange
- Source Expo 2011
- Guía de Moda Africana
- Entrevista...-...Charlando con Helmy Aboulesh
- La producción mundial de algodón en África oriental
- La utilización de imágenes
- Rotación de cultivos en América Latina
- Nicaragua: Algodón orgánico con una visión de sostenibilidad
- Introducción a la Universidad de Ciencias Agrarias de Dharwad
- Le Comptoir Commercial est ouvert
- Entretiens pré-conférence sur le coton
- Remei sponsor l'Interface des Producteur
- Les Nouvelles de la Conférence de Textile Exchange à Barcelone
- Le Guide de la Mode Africa
- Un entretien avec...Helmy Abouleshboulesh
- Afrique : La production de coton en Afrique de l'Ouest
- Afrique : La production de coton en Afrique de l'Ouest
- Amérique Latine : La rotation des cultures
- Nicaragua : Le coton bio avec une vision de durabilité
- La Rotation des Cultures en Amérique Latine
- Une Présentation de l'Université d'Agronomie de Dharwad
- Love. Organic Cotton campaign
- Cotton Dialogues, Barcelona 18th September
- Farm & Fiber midyear predictions report
- Pachacuti wins ethical award
- Interview: John Reganold Washington State University
- Africa: Role of the Neem tree
- Peru: The ongoing story of GMOs
- India: Addressing non-GMO cotton seed supply
- Lanzamiento de la campaña ‘Apoya a un agricultor’
- Pre-conferencia Diálogos sobre algodón
- Informe de predicciones Fincas y Fibra
- Pachacuti gana el Premio Ético
- Charlando con John Reganold
- La función del árbol de Neem en la agricultura orgánica en África Occidental
- OGM en el Perú: una historia sin fin
- Crisis y soluciones – Las semillas de algodón no OGM en India
- Entretiens pré-conférences
- Le rapport provisionnel Production & Fibre
- Pachacuti gagne le prix Éthique
- Entretien avec John Reganold
- Le 2e Sommet d’Afrique de l’Ouest sur l’Agriculture Bio
- L’importance du neemier dans la production biologique
- En Afrique de l’Ouest
- Les OGM au Pérou : une histoire sans fin
- Des Crises et Des Solutions – Le problème des semences non-OGM en Inde
- Biodiversity
- Soil
- Water
- Climate Change
- Rural Development
- Country of Origin
- Trade Relations
- Market Growth
- Consumer Awareness
- World Environment Day Issue - English only sorry
- World Environment Day Issue - English only sorry
- Chetna case study out now
- Interview with Atila Ertem
- India: Special feature on Indian agriculture
- Latin America: Regional activities
- Africa: A report on alternatives to endosulfan
- Africa: new technique introduced to Beninese organic cotton farmers
- Farm Insights – Pink Bollworm feature
- Lanzamiento del estudio de casos de Chetna
- Entrevista con Atila Ertem
- India: artículo especial sobre agricultura india
- América Latina: actividades regionales
- África: informe sobre las alternativas al endosulfán
- África: productores de algodón en Benín
- Reflexiones sobre agricultura: el gusano rosado
- L’étude de cas de Chetna est publiée
- Une interview avec Atila Ertem
- Inde : Article spécial sur l’agriculture en Inde
- Amérique Latine : activités régionales
- Afrique : Un rapport sur les alternatives à l’endosulfan
- Afrique : Les producteurs de coton biologique au Bénin testent la technique d’écimage
- Perspectives Agricoles Mensuelles – Article sur la chenille rose du cotonnier.
Field Calendar
April - June
Follow the production of organic cotton from soil preparation to harvest.
For each month see what is going on in the fields around the world. For a general introduction to cotton growing follow our learning journey.
Want to find out how cotton is grown? Take our learning journey here
April - June
Follow the production of organic cotton from soil preparation to harvest.
For each month see what is going on in the fields around the world. For a general introduction to cotton growing follow our learning journey.
April - June
Follow the production of organic cotton from soil preparation to harvest.
For each month see what is going on in the fields around the world. For a general introduction to cotton growing follow our learning journey.
April - June
Follow the production of organic cotton from soil preparation to harvest.
For each month see what is going on in the fields around the world. For a general introduction to cotton growing follow our learning journey.
Learning Journey
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Farm Hub kindly sponsored by:
[Click here for the Remei AG value chain solution]
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