The Organic Exchange is a non-profit organization committed to expanding organic agriculture, with a specific focus on increasing the production and use of organically grown fibers such as cotton.

Their ten-year goal is to secure commitments from leading retailers and brands to use organic cotton in amounts equaling 10% of global cotton production. By making this commitment, companies support organic farmers who build soil quality, enhance biodiversity and protect the air and water on which we all depend. In addition, these companies give their customers the opportunity to look good, feel good and do good at the same time.

To support these efforts, the Exchange brings together brands and retailers, farmers and key stakeholders to learn about the social and environmental benefits of organic agriculture, and to develop new business models and tools that support greater use of organic inputs. The Exchange also works to raise consumer awareness about the value of organic farming and the availability of products containing organic cotton. Organic Exchange creates solutions that improve environmental quality, enhance the livelihoods of farmers, increase profitability for innovative brands and their business partners, and expand consumer choice.

Patagonia has been involved with the Organic Exchange since its inception in the fall of 2002, with the first meeting hosted by Nike. I have sat on the board since the beginning of the organization and have recently become the Chair of the Board of Directors.

As one of the first clothing companies to convert its entire cotton clothing line to organic, we receive a large volume of calls asking how we pulled it off. Patagonia now relies heavily on the Exchange to answer many of the introductory questions, emails and phone calls we get about organic cotton. But they still ask me to answer questions that are more in-depth or complex, which I'm happy to do.

Organic Exchange has a conference every fall that brings together all sectors of the organic industry to anticipate future directions and inform the complete supply chain. The conference is hosted in a different region of the world each year to make it easy for different geographic regions to attend. We hosted a meeting a few years back that was the precursor to the conference and had around 60 people come to the Patagonia campus. The conference in the fall of 2006 attracted over 300 participants. It's been a slow process but the movement is growing.

For more information on the Organic Exchange, please visit: www.organicexchange.org