This episode explores how sustainable practices in cotton production are helping to promote biodiversity. Sledge Taylor and Marshall Hardwick explain why, as cotton growers, biodiversity is important to them and why growers care about it. Topics explored include regenerative agriculture, conservation tillage, habitat preservation, cover crops and pesticide use.
Smarter Conversations is a podcast series by U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol® weaving together voices from the bottom supply chain.
Every month our host, journalist Cathy Smith, will discuss a different aspect of the complexities and challenges of sustainability in the global cotton supply chain.
Deepika Mishra is the Standards and Data Lead for the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, acting as a consultant for the program. As an accomplished scientist and data analytics specialist, Deepika leads on analysis of the Trust Protocol’s environmental metrics. She collaborates extensively with agricultural research institutions, conservation groups, and food and trade organizations, playing a vital role in the establishment of sustainability and social standards within the industry.
Deepika earned her Ph.D. in plant and soil science from Texas Tech University, specializing in cotton breeding and genetics. With over a decade of experience, she has spearheaded diverse agricultural projects in both India and the United States, covering crops like cotton, cowpeas, castor, sesame, guar, guayule, tomato, and field pennycress (cover crop). Her contributions also include the development and release of multiple cowpea varieties in India during her M.S. studies in vegetable breeding and genetics.
