A new facility could expand the cotton industry

Cotton growing in the field.

After eight years in the making, work is almost complete for the new 30,000-square-foot USDA Cotton Classification Complex in Lubbock, Texas.

Deputy Administrator for the Agricultural Marketing Service, Cotton & Tobacco Program, Darryl Earnest, says the facility is critical for the U.S. industry for many reasons.

“It does serve as the largest concentrated region of cotton production in the U.S., which is a vital part of the cotton industry in general, but also a key source of cotton that is exported out every year of the U.S. It’s very highly sought after from a lot of the importers in other countries,” said Earnest.

He adds they wanted to use Texas Tech University as the source of outreach and future employment opportunities.

The complex is set to open next month.

Related:

How the National Cotton Council is helping producers understand policy

No Rest for the West: How the ongoing drought is impacting cotton and wind power

Down to Earth: cotton is a sustainability star






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