By Kaylee Hendricks
In rural America, grower-owned cooperatives handle, process, and market almost every agricultural commodity, source farm supplies, and provide credit and related financial services, including export financing. Earnings from these activities are returned to growers, improving their marketplace income. Grower cooperatives also provide over 250,000 U.S. jobs with a payroll of over $8 billion, contributing significantly to rural America’s economic well-being.
Amcot is an association of America’s true, grower-owned cotton marketing cooperatives. PCCA, Calcot, Staplcotn, and Carolinas Cotton Growers are Amcot members and are 100% owned by American producers. The organization focuses exclusively on positioning U.S. cotton in a global marketplace. Amcot member cooperatives are responsible for originating and marketing as much as 40% of the annual U.S. cotton production.
Amcot’s mission is to represent member cooperatives in all facets of the U.S. cotton marketing industry, domestically and internationally. The association gives member cooperatives a seat at the table throughout the U.S. cotton industry and a louder voice in Washington, D.C.
“The member cooperatives that comprise Amcot provide a balanced voice for their grower-owners in D.C. and global cotton markets,” said Meredith Allen, Amcot chairman. “Amcot ensures that members of Congress and the Administration understand how trade policy, farm policy, and other issues affect the growers that own these businesses. Amcot is the voice of grower-owned marketing.”
Amcot companies are dedicated to enhancing growers’ returns through innovative and cooperative marketing programs. These programs are crucial to increasing the value of cotton at the farm gate, ensuring that growers receive the best possible returns on their hard work and investments. Amcot’s commitment to supporting growers extends beyond marketing, as its members also offer comprehensive, integrated logistics and warehousing services, which allow growers to maintain control over the delivery of their products.
Amcot cooperatives take pride in hosting the bi-annual Sales Conference, an essential event that serves as a platform to communicate the value of U.S. cotton to their worldwide sales network. This event is open to industry leaders, innovators, and market experts worldwide. Amcot is committed to providing exceptional service to its customers, both before and after the sale, further enhancing the reputation of U.S. cotton.
As members of the National Cotton Council and the Cotton Growers Warehouse Association, all Amcot companies offer tailored marketing plans and integrated risk management services in every U.S. cotton-growing area. They provide critical policy support to USDA by acting as Cooperative Marketing Agents and ensuring timely and accurate use of the Marketing Assistance Loan.
Amcot companies are at the forefront of promoting the sustainability of U.S. cotton. They are the leading advocates of grower membership in the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. Amcot also provides valuable financial and technological services within the supply chain, aiding growers from the field to the end user and assisting the USDA in implementing farm programs. This supports thousands of growers and reduces the federal government’s administrative burden.
All Amcot member cooperatives work directly with growers, taking their concerns and insights and amplifying them. Amcot provides a powerful platform for political representation and a seat at the table to make their voices heard. This ensures that the concerns and needs of the agricultural community are addressed effectively. Today, the most important initiative is working to achieve a higher safety net for growers who are all facing a dire financial outlook with current commodity prices and the high cost of production. Amcot is recognized in Washington, D.C., as a powerful voice for thousands of ag producers from many geographical areas across the United States. For more information, visit amcot.org.
