Approximately 5-8,000 bales of organic cotton are currently produced in the U.S. with approximately 115,000 bales being produced worldwide that are certified “organic”. Although small compared to the overall crop (<0.1%), the production of organic cotton has been increasing recently. To be called “organic” in the US an agricultural crop must meet the following US National Organic Standards Board definition:

Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony.

Sustainable agriculture is an important concept used today but there are many misconceptions about what it is (i.e., organic crop production has become part of that focus but it may not be as sustainable as conventional cotton production). Conventional cotton production already uses many of the organic cotton practices but environmental stewardship can continually be improved. This paper gives an overview of organic cotton in the US and its relationship to conventional cotton production, including irrigation, ginning and textile utilization practices.