Episode 72: Cotton on the Global Stage: Liz Hirschfield’s New Role & the Future of U.S. Cotton
In this episode of Conservation Stories, Tillery welcomes back a returning guest in a brand-new role — Liz Hirschfield, now Executive Director of Cotton Council International. Liz shares her journey from J.Crew/Madewell to consulting, and now to leading CCI’s global mission of expanding demand for U.S. cotton across more than 15 countries.
Liz explains how CCI works under the National Cotton Council to promote U.S. cotton as the world’s most consistent, traceable, and sustainably grown fiber — and how their teams collaborate with mills, spinners, brands, and U.S. government offices to break down trade barriers and increase adoption. She highlights a major strategic push to grow markets beyond China and strengthen sourcing relationships across Latin America, where demand and manufacturing interest are rapidly rising.
The conversation dives deep into:
Why U.S. cotton’s quality and consistency outperform global competitors
How CCI’s “solutions team” helps mills improve yields and reduce cost through better processing
The growing interest in regenerative cotton vs. traditional organic
Global misconceptions about GMOs, sustainability, and the realities of modern farming
How brands are reevaluating synthetics due to microplastic pollution and health concerns
The economic importance of raising cotton prices to reflect real production costs
Emerging policy efforts like the Buy American Cotton Act and how listeners can support it
Liz and Tillery also explore labor issues, H2A programs, and how smarter, safer labor pipelines can strengthen agricultural communities both in the U.S. and abroad. The episode closes with a conversation on cotton’s biodegradability, consumer labels like BCI, and why everyday choices in fiber content matter for environmental and human health.
This episode gives growers, brands, and consumers alike a grounded look at where cotton stands today — and where U.S. cotton is headed next.
