Clyde Sharp, Chairman

Cotton Foundation membership remains solid with 68 members as of July 1, 2007, the beginning of the 2007-08 Foundation fiscal year. These member firms' dues ($379,746) are going entirely in support of 25 general research and education projects approved by the Foundation’s Research Screening Committee. Investments and Washington building rental income also provided a small portion of the funding for these projects. In addition, five other general projects are being funded from 2006-07 contingency funds and miscellaneous contributions ($54,800).

These projects are addressing needs that range from managing pests such as reniform nematodes, pink bollworm and tarnished plant bugs to finding ways to improve and preserve fiber quality. The U.S. cotton industry is enjoying a healthy return on investment from these efforts, too. NCC staff estimates that taking into account cash and in-kind services, the Foundation’s general projects enjoy a return of about $3 for every dollar devoted to these projects.

As a need arises, Foundation members have shown their eagerness to support initiatives above and beyond those covered by dues. These special projects fill important niches, especially in the education/information dissemination arena. Among those are the Cotton Leadership Program – the longest running special project and celebrating its 25^th year with the selection of the 2007-08 class.

Enthusiastic funding also was demonstrated for new special projects during 2006-07. That included the multiple-sponsor support of the Internet-accessible weed resistance learning module and the Multi-Commodity Education Program. That program is providing current and emerging producer leaders with:  1) a better understanding of production issues/concerns faced by their peers in another geographic region; and 2) first hand observation of the agronomic practices, technology utilization, cropping patterns, marketing plans and operational structure in that region.

In addition, individual Foundation member firms continue to sponsor vital NCC communications vehicles, including the Cotton’s Week newsletter, AgDay Cotton’s Week and the Cotton eNews electronic newsletter.

During the past year, Dr. Bill Norman, former vice president of Ginner Services for the National Cotton Council, took the helm as Cotton Foundation executive director and vice president of the Council’s Technical Services department. He succeeded Dr. Andy Jordan, who along with other retired Council technical services personnel and current Council technical services staffers, are providing valuable oversight on specific Foundation projects and goals.

Looking ahead, I believe the Foundation is well positioned to foment innovative cotton research, find solutions to cotton problems and forward cost-cutting technology and information throughout cotton's production and marketing chain.

Clyde Sharp, Chairman (2007-08)
The Cotton Foundation