Tag Archives: Georgia cotton farmers

Georgia Cotton, Georgia Threads: Magnolia Loom Helps Farmers Stitch a Future

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Pitts, GA |

Farming has never been easy—but for young producers trying to start from scratch, the odds can feel stacked against them. Equipment costs, input prices, and limited access to markets make it difficult to even get started. Just ask John Henry Roberts, a first-generation farmer in Pitts, Georgia.

“I’d say the hardest challenge is just getting into it to begin with,” said Roberts. “If it wasn’t for my boss right now, I wouldn’t have this opportunity. I mean, I’m like I said, I’m a first generation. The latest generation for me to farming was my great granddaddy. And that’s when everybody farmed.”

Roberts is doing what he can to change that narrative—and he’s not doing it alone. Thanks to a partnership with Magnolia Loom, a Georgia-based clothing company, Roberts has found new purpose and a better price for his cotton.

“A lot of things we have now are American grown, but they’re not American made,” Roberts explained. “So knowing that what Scott and Zeke and them are doing up there at Magnolia Loom—that they can take this cotton, keep it separated from mine…to a garment like this that I can touch with my own hands—it’s special.”

Magnolia Loom’s model offers producers like Roberts something rare in today’s cotton market: a price above market value.

“The Magnolia Loom mission is to give a dollar a bale, or twenty percent above market price, whichever is higher,” said Roberts. “Even if cotton market price goes to a dollar, they’re still going to pay you $1.20. What they’re doing is buying a little bit from lots of people, to make it truly Georgia grown.”

It’s a small portion of his total crop, but Roberts says the value goes beyond just economics—it’s about dignity, transparency, and pride.

That mission is resonating with other growers, like Clayton Anderson of Bulloch County, who says it’s refreshing to see a market-driven model that actually supports the people who grow the crop.

“Well, the bottom line is important because that’s what keeps us in business,” Anderson said. “A lot of farmers brag about top yields, but they may not be making money making that top yield. They have to put more inputs in.”

Anderson says it’s not just about the dollars and cents—it’s about the bigger picture.

“It’s a great opportunity, and every little bit helps,” he said. “They’re not buying my whole crop. But I appreciate whatever they can and whatever they’re doing to promote Georgia cotton. Magnolia Loom is doing their part to promote cotton, and I appreciate it. And all farmers do.”

By bringing attention—and better prices—to Georgia-grown cotton, Magnolia Loom is helping restore a direct connection between the field and the fabric. For young farmers like Roberts and Anderson, it’s a step toward making farming viable again—not just for them, but for the next generation.

By: John Holcomb

New Farm Bill Brings Relief to Cotton Growers, But Challenges Remain Amid Declining Acreage

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Tifton, GA |

With Georgia ranking as the second largest cotton-producing state in the nation, ensuring growers are up to date on recent policy changes is critical for the industry’s future. Recognizing that need, the National Cotton Council recently hosted a series of informational meetings across the state to help farmers navigate the shifting legislative landscape.

“We are doing these across the cotton belt… and really, it’s important for growers to understand what the new provisions are of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” said Gary Adams, President of the National Cotton Council. “This is going to affect some of the decisions that they have to make, particularly as they move towards the 2026 crop. And really, with the financial situation that’s out there right now for growers, it couldn’t have come at a better time.”

The legislation offers a degree of relief and clarity amid uncertainty, as the most recent Farm Bill—passed seven years ago—had become increasingly outdated.

“We started this process in 2021,” said Taylor Sills, Executive Director of the Georgia Cotton Commission. “We were hoping we were going to have a Farm Bill in 2023 and then one in 2024. And we’re very grateful to have gotten the assistance from Congress and the administration… but it certainly was a long time coming. The safety net was still there. The holes just got bigger.”

For many producers, the big question is whether the updates will bring tangible economic relief. Adams says they will.

“There’s a significant increase in the reference price… that’s up about fourteen percent,” Adams explained. “There’s also an opportunity for some farms to add base acreage. And then, finally, there’s some critical changes for crop insurance that’s going to give more affordable options to growers to provide higher levels of coverage.”

Still, industry leaders acknowledge that policy changes alone won’t fix everything.

“The cotton industry is in a rough spot right now,” Sills said. “These policy changes are beneficial, but they’re not everything that’s going to help a producer’s bottom line. There are other issues the industry is tackling—some of which are policy-related—but all are focused on demand and consumption.”

That challenge has become more urgent as cotton acreage in Georgia continues to shrink.

“Producers in the state are really facing a hard time,” Sills added. “We’re the lowest in cotton acreage that we’ve been since 1992 or 1993… that’s a big enough alarm in my opinion.”

As the state’s cotton community works to rebuild and adapt, the recent meetings served as a timely opportunity for farmers to gather information, ask questions, and plan for what’s ahead.

By: Damon Jones

From Cotton Field to Closet: Magnolia Loom Builds Local Cotton Supply Chain in Georgia

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Sandersville, GA |

A Georgia company is closing the loop on cotton production—and making sure the benefits stay right here at home. Magnolia Loom, based in Sandersville, is turning locally grown cotton into t-shirts made and printed entirely in the Southeast, giving farmers a direct connection to the products their crops help create.

“I started Magnolia Loom in 2021, with an idea of taking Georgia cotton and turning it into t-shirts,” says Zeke Chapman, co-owner. “We really wanted to find a way to add value to it locally and be able to connect the cotton farmers across the state to an end product they could touch and feel and see and be able to wear.”

Since its founding, Magnolia Loom has worked to shorten the supply chain dramatically—from 1,500 miles across multiple states to just 750 miles mostly within Georgia. The company now controls nearly every step of the process, from fiber to fabric to final print.

“We knew we had to start small and piece things together,” Chapman says. “But now we’ve made huge strides in being able to do what we do. Not only does it improve quality control, it helps us get product to market faster.”

That shorter supply chain also means more value stays in the state—something Chapman is especially proud of. At live events like the Georgia National Fair and Sunbelt Ag Expo, more than 90 percent of the garment’s value remains in Georgia, helping them pay farmers more per pound than the market typically allows.

“Cotton prices are probably around sixty cents a pound right now. We’re paying a dollar,” says Chapman. “It’s huge for these growers because it helps them stay sustainable and make a profit.”

That commitment to local agriculture is shared by co-owner Torey Rose, who says the mission has always been about more than t-shirts.

“Our farmers oftentimes don’t see significance in what they’re doing,” she says. “They’re not paid accordingly to the hard work they put in. We want to show them we value it—by turning that cotton into something meaningful and paying them fairly for it.”

As the business grows, the owners hope to move even more of the manufacturing in-house—right in Sandersville—while proving that keeping production in the U.S. isn’t just viable, it’s vital.

By: John Holcomb

Dicamba Ban Forces Georgia Farmers to Rethink Weed Control | Pigweed Management in 2025

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Tifton, GA |

With cotton prices down and margins tighter than ever, Georgia farmers are laser-focused on maximizing yield—and that starts with effective weed control. But for many, keeping fields free of pigweed just got more difficult after a U.S. court ruling banned the use of over-the-top dicamba herbicides last year.

“It’s very important,” says Stanley Culpepper, Weed Extension Scientist with the University of Georgia. “Older chemistries—products labeled for pastures, turf, or for burndown—those labels weren’t impacted. But the Engenia, XtendiMax, and Tavium labels were, and they’ve been extremely important to us in both cotton and soybean production.”

Unlike previous restrictions, this latest ban wasn’t based on environmental or health concerns. Instead, it stemmed from a procedural error—specifically, the EPA’s failure to open dicamba’s registration for public notice and comment. That misstep triggered a potential 28-month review process.

“We didn’t lose those labels because of an environmental issue,” says Culpepper. “It was a procedural issue when registering the product during the last process. As of today, it’s still not looking very favorable for 2025. We recommend growers start thinking about alternative systems—we’ve been doing that for a couple of months—and we’re working hard for 2026. But I’ll tell you, there are no guarantees.”

Despite the setback, Culpepper says there are other effective options available, depending on the seed trait technology being used. However, these programs demand sharper precision and tighter timing.

“You’re looking at an Enlist program—kind of that 2,4-D system—or a Liberty-based program,” he says. “Both can be effective, but only if we make sure there are no weeds at planting. You have to be super timely—more timely than with the dicamba-based program. We can still control this weed, we just need to be more on top of our game this year. We can’t play catch-up like we’ve been able to in the past.”

As input costs continue to rise, farmers are carefully weighing every decision. But Culpepper warns that cutting back on herbicide programs may cost more in the long run.

“Weed management is one of many important components for sustainability on our family farms,” he says. “In a year like this, you’re typically trying to save money. But when it comes to weed management—especially with Palmer amaranth—there’s not a lot you can cut. We’re already using every tool in the toolbox.”

For growers navigating a tough season, staying proactive in the face of change may be the most important tool of all.

By: Damon Jones