The Soil Health Institute (SHI) has announced it will launch Healthy Soils for Sustainable Cotton, a continuous engagement project to help US cotton farmers increase soil health on their farms. In addition, the project will seek to quantify and expand the productivity, economic, and environmental benefits of soil health systems for those farmers.

Healthy Soils for Sustainable Cotton is supported through the generosity of the Wrangler brand, the VF Corporation Foundation, and the Walmart Foundation. The initial pilot programme, which will be conducted during 2019, will include cotton producers in Arkansas, Georgia, and North Carolina, according to Cristine Morgan, SHI chief scientific officer.

"This farmer-focused education and training program will be developed and delivered by a qualified team comprised of technical specialists and successful cotton farmers. In 2020, the program will expand to Mississippi, Texas, and California," said Morgan.

"The project will identify farmers in each state who are successfully adopting soil health systems. These farmers will provide insights into their soil health systems and help mentor others who participate in the training program. In addition, a local Soil Health Technical Specialist will help conduct farmer training and provide continuous technical support over at least the next two years," said David Lamm, project manager.

"Cotton producers who successfully complete the program will gain knowledge in soil health systems and become part of a network of farmers interested in increasing sustainability of cotton production," Morgan added.

Participating farmers will learn how to evaluate the health of their soils and how to improve that health for greater sustainability. Scientists from SHI will assist growers in assessing and improving drought resilience, economic benefits, and environmental outcomes of their practices. (RR)