How We Operate

Our Beginnings

Current Leadership

Our Objectives and Activities

Over the Years

50th Anniversary Celebration

North Carolina Cotton Production

How We Operate

The North Carolina Cotton Producers Association board is composed of 21 members made up of cotton growers, elect formulators, fertilizer manufacturers, farm machinery dealers, warehousemen, cottonseed crushers, ginners and the NC Textile Manufacturers Assn.

Southern Cotton Growers Inc. uses grower-assessed funds from North Carolina and other states to:

• provide a voice for Southeastern cotton at the national level.
• analyze and attempt to remove any impediments to opportunities for cotton production and ginning in the Southeast.
• cooperate with all cotton belt forces for the mutual benefit of the American cotton industry to any point that is equitably beneficial to cotton growers in the Southeast.
• counteract any movement, proposal, or program that impacts cotton production economy of the Southeast.
• assist in stabilizing a healthy economic environment for cotton's allied agribusiness upon whom growers depend for production and processing of their crop in the Southeast.

The National Cotton Council supports the American cotton industry and its growers by:

• serving as the central organization representing all segments of the U.S, cotton industry.
• assuring favorable legislative and regulatory policies through Washington representation.
• providing technical services in solving major problems that increase costs and reduce profits (i.e.; establishing the Boll Weevil Eradication Program and maintaining federal support for program expansion).
• providing staff and support services for the National Cotton Ginners Association.
• promoting U.S. cotton in overseas markets through trade servicing and consumer promotion activities.

The North Carolina Cotton Producers Association, Inc., through its members and associate members, will continue to promote, encourage and aid North Carolina State University, other institutions, agencies and private industry in achieving gains through research, efficiency in production and marketing, quality improvement, public relations and legislative policies designed to help North Carolina cotton producers and other segments of the cotton industry.

OUR BEGINNINGS

In 1951, a progressive group of North Carolina cotton farmers came together to form a cotton organization dedicated to improving the welfare of cotton farmers in the state. Formally chartered in 1954, the North Carolina cotton group is composed of farmer delegates and enlisted representatives from other industry segments to assist the board in developing a comprehensive program of progress for cotton.

In 1957, the North Carolina Legislature authorized a referendum that called for a 10-cent per bale contribution each year to support the newly named North Carolina Cotton Promotion Association, a non-profit and self-supporting organization. The current 70-cent per bale assessment is collected at the time of ginning, but payment is voluntary by the grower. This self-assessment program, approved every six years since, funds the North Carolina Cotton Producers Association and contributes to the important work of the Southern Cotton Growers Association, Inc. and the National Cotton Council of America.

In 2002, the name of the statewide organization was changed to the North Carolina Cotton Producers Association. Through its grower and associate members, the NCCPA continues to promote and encourage cotton producers and other segments of the cotton industry in the state. NC State University and other industry institutions and agencies, help in achieving gains through research, efficiency in production and marketing, quality improvement, public relations and legislative policies designed to keep the North Carolina cotton industry strong and healthy.

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CURRENT LEADERSHIP

• President - Ronnie Burleson - Stanley County
• Vice President - Max Denning - Johnston County
• Secretary - Gary Respess - Beaufort County
• Treasurer - Taylor Slade - Martin County
• Allen McLauren - Executive Committee at Large - Scotland County
• David Grant - Executive Committee at Large - Northampton County
• Billy Carter - Executive Vice President - Nash County

OUR OBJECTIVES & ACTIVITIES

• Encourage and promote the efficient production, ginning, warehousing, handling, merchandising, manufacturing, and use of cotton, cotton seed, and cotton by-products.
• Disseminate information regarding industry developments, particularly those relating to laws and regulations affecting all segments of the industry.
• Promote and encourage research in the development of better cotton and cotton products through improved production and marketing procedures.
• Publicize and coordinate promotional activities of all groups and agencies to create greater interest in the cotton industry.

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OVER THE YEARS, NCCPA ALSO:

• sponsors a bi-annual Cotton Field Day in conjunction with NCDA&CS and NC State CALS.
• contributes to cotton research and extension education at NC State University and in cotton producing counties.
• cooperates with NCDA & CS "Goodness Grows in North Carolina" and "Got To Be NC" programs.
• promotes continued support of the Boll Weevil Eradication Program.
• monitors the NC General Assembly for legislation that impacts cotton production.
• nominates delegates to the National Cotton Council, Southeastern Cotton Growers, Inc., and members on the Cotton Board and Cotton Incorporated.