E11: Cotton Australia: Brooke Summers & Ashley Hollis

Cotton Australia with Brooke Summers and Ashley Hollis

• Guests : Brooke Summers and Ashley Hollis from Cotton Australia
• Discussion : The role of Cotton Australia in promoting sustainable cotton farming and the broader impact on the fashion industry.

Guest Backgrounds

• Brooke Summers :
• Leader in the Australian cotton industry.
• Experience: 30 years in strategic communication, marketing, and stakeholder engagement.
• Recognised with a Churchill Fellowship in Urban Conservation and Australian Rural Leadership Program graduate.
• Advocate for natural fibres and Australia’s cotton farmers.
• Ashley Hollis :
• Brand Relationship Manager at Cotton Australia.
• Experience: 20 years in retail, fashion, and education.
• Expertise in stakeholder engagement and fostering industry collaborations.
• Influencer of the next generation in the cotton and wool industry.

Sustainability in Cotton Farming

• Key Achievements :
• 97% reduction in pesticide use.
• 50% reduction in water consumption.
• Enhanced land efficiency.
• Partnerships with iconic Australian brands such as Country Road.
• Environmental Assessments :
• Regular independent assessments to identify improvement areas.
• Focus on transparency, waste management, and reporting progress.

Collaboration and Innovation

• Collaboration :
• Essential partnerships with brands, Government, and other industries.
• Emphasis on connecting farmers with brands and consumers.
• Innovation :
• Advances in water efficiency, precision agriculture, and integrated pest management.
• Importance of continuous improvement and investment in R&D.

Education and Consumer Awareness

• Consumer Education :
• Vital for promoting Australian cotton and sustainable practices.
• Encouragement for purchasing natural and recycled fibres.
• Camp Cotton Initiative :
• Educates brands about the Australian cotton industry and its sustainability efforts.

Future Vision

• Sustainability Roadmap :
• Focus areas: Traceability, sustainable certified cotton, human rights, data, and marketing.
• Global Collaboration :
• Collaboration across agricultural sectors and global cotton industries.
• Private Equity Opportunities :
• Investment potential in the agricultural industry, focusing on sustainability.

Closing Thoughts

• The importance of rewarding farmers for sustainable practices.
• The role of technology and innovation in achieving sustainability goals.
• Cotton Australia's commitment to leading the charge in sustainable fashion and farming.

Connect with Cotton Australia :