About Us
Our job is to ensure cotton remains the most comfortable, durable, easy-to-care-for fabric, and to remind you of all the reasons why it’s The Fabric of Our Lives®.
| Who we are
Cotton Incorporated is a not-for-profit founded in 1970 to support the global cotton industry. We are funded by U.S. cotton growers and importers and we use those funds for research and development, and promotion of cotton. Cotton Incorporated does not make anything or sell anything. That’s right, not even simple cotton tees (but we’re happy to share retailers and brands that have cotton-rich items (more than 60% cotton) in our Shop Cotton section.
The U.S. cotton industry today bears little resemblance to that of the last century or the one before. Modern U.S. cotton production is a high-tech, and environmentally-responsible industry that provides textile fiber, feed for animals, and food for the growing world population.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and have sought to represent the diverse population of America through its marketing and outreach; such as working with ethnically and body-diverse Influencers in Social Media as well as in Casting in video work . Find our full EOE statement.
| Our mission
Our mission at Cotton Incorporated is to inspire the use of and desire for all things cotton: to show you why it matters what’s in the clothes, bedding, and home goods you buy. A natural, sustainable fiber that has far-reaching benefits for every aspect of your life, cotton is special. That’s why we call it The Fabric of Our Lives®.
| The science behind what we do
We work to make cotton the best it can be through research, textile innovations (like water- and wind-resistant cotton apparel and moisture-wicking, wrinkle- and stain-resistant cotton), and sustainable advancements like finding new uses for cotton and cotton byproducts, reducing land and water usage, and modernizing agricultural processes.
We make sure you know about all of cotton’s amazing benefits through advertising, retail and influencer collaborations, and Cotton's Blue Jeans Go Green™ denim recycling program. All of cotton’s benefits we share in our advertising are backed by science and scientific standards, so you can trust and be as comfortable with the information as you are in your favorite cotton sweatpants.
It matters what’s in the textiles you buy. What goes on your body is just as important as what goes in your body. Be sure to check the label.
| How we work with the USDA
We are part of the 21 commodity checkoff programs (like Eggs, Lumber, and even Popcorn!) that fall under the purview of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
While we are part of a not-for-profit research and promotion program, we do fall under regulation of the U.S. government. All our public marketing and advertising materials go through an Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) review by the USDA.
Our program refrains from taking positions on political issues, engaging in lobbying or endorsing candidates for office, and all communications must remain non-political (at the Local, State and Federal level). Additionally, our program is prohibited from making financial and gift contributions unless specifically relevant to our marketing and promotion efforts.
For more information about guidelines with Research and Promotion Programs, please visit the USDA’s site.