Trust, Traceability, and the Future of U.S. Cotton with Daren Abney

In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims talks with Daren Abney, Executive Director of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, about the evolving world of cotton production, sustainability certification, and the challenges facing today’s growers. Drawing on 17 years of industry experience, Daren breaks down how cotton moves from West Texas fields through a global supply chain, often passing through 12–15 hands before reaching consumers. The conversation explores how the Trust Protocol is helping brands trace cotton back to specific farms, using technology and data—not burdensome paperwork—to meet rising demands for transparency. Daren explains the differences between certifications, the growing fatigue around traditional third-party audits, and why precision assurance—like satellite imagery and digital data—may be the future of verifying sustainable practices. Together, Tillery and Daren dive into the economics of cotton, the importance of communicating agriculture’s story, and why natural fibers like cotton matter more than ever in a world flooded with synthetics. This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how U.S. cotton is staying competitive, sustainable, and authentic in a fast-changing global market.   More About Our Guest: Daren Abney, Executive Director, U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol LinkedIn Website   For more information about SARA, please visit sara-conservation.com Support the Conservation Stories Podcast Follow SARA for more updates  •  Instagram  •  Facebook  •  LinkedIn •  X/Twitter Conservation Stories is presented by The Sandhills Area Research Association (SARA). Subscribe now to hear all the interviews. Upcoming Episodes Include: • Kelli Inge General Manager, Wall Co-op Gin. Wall TX. • Layton Schur, Frontier Market Update • FarmHope Project