Magnolia Morning, Magnolia Tribune
On Friday, May 29, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the Great American Cotton Plan, a comprehensive USDA initiative to strengthen the cotton farm economy, restore domestic textile manufacturing, expand cotton trade opportunities, and increase demand for products made with American-grown cotton.
Mississippi U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith marked the announcement, saying American-grown cotton represents only 4 million of 20 million bales consumed in the U.S. each year.
“The Trump Administration and Secretary Rollins are doing right by our farmers and consumers by promoting American-grown cotton with the Great American Cotton Plan,” the former Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner said. “It puts our farmers first, supports long-term sustainability for the industry, and provides the American people with safe, affordable, and natural fibers that we should be using. Congress should immediately pass the Buying American Cotton Act to support U.S. farmers, rural communities, and American manufacturing.”
The announcement comes as cotton producers face a fifth consecutive year of negative returns driven by rising input costs, trade distortions, and increasing competition from synthetic materials. As part of the plan, USDA will elevate the “Plant Not Plastic” initiative to encourage consumers to purchase products made with healthy natural American cotton fibers rather than synthetic plastic-based alternatives.