Farmers who grow their cotton without harmful chemicals reduce their reliance on big agrochemical companies and reduce their workers’ exposure to potentially toxic and carcinogenic compounds. We began exclusively using 100% organic virgin cotton in all of our cotton products in 1996. Organically farmed cotton employs nature-based solutions to manage pests while supporting biodiversity, improving the quality of soil and often using less water.

Sometimes called “In-conversion Cotton” or “Transitional Organic” in the industry, Cotton in Conversion allows farms growing cotton with organic practices to sell their crop while they are in the process of getting certified. Patagonia's use of Cotton in Conversion rewards farmers who are committed to reaching organic cotton certification and helps them stay on the path to organic during the multi-year transition. They began this journey with a supply chain partner in Peru, who offers technical assistance and pays a premium to these cotton farmers. Their first line of clothes made with Cotton in Conversion launched in Spring 2020.

After committing to organic cotton in 1996, Patagonia began supporting farmers to grow cotton using Regenerative Organic Certified® practices, which prioritizes organic, no- and low-till methods that build healthy soil and respect the welfare of people and animals. They piloted a first crop of Regenerative Organic Certified cotton in India in 2018, working with more than 150 farmers to implement this highest organic standard. Since then, the cotton program has grown to include over 1,000 farmers. In Spring 2022, Patagonia launched our first collection of Regenerative Organic Certified cotton products.