Since 1889, when the first Carhartt overalls were hand-sewn in Detroit, the brand has been known for its durable, long-lasting workwear. Guided by their “Built to Last Commitment,” Carhartt has been producing gear that not only meets the demands of hardworking customers but is designed to stay in use for years. Now, with the release of its limited-edition “Thank a Farmer” T-shirt, Carhartt is advancing its commitment to sustainability by sourcing Climate Beneficial™ cotton—grown through practices that enhance soil health, lower carbon emissions, and support biodiversity. This initiative marks a learning journey for Carhartt as it explores ways to build transparency and direct connections with the partners involved in growing cotton and producing the yarn and textiles for its products.
“We knew our team had a lot to learn in sourcing at the farm level for our cotton fabric developments,” said Gretchen R. Valade, Director of Sustainability at Carhartt. “The Climate Beneficial team helped us grow our relationships with our current supply chain partners, introduced us to amazing new partners, and educated us on how to plan product around the cotton growing season.”
Building Partnerships and Bridging Gaps
To bring Climate Beneficial™ cotton into production, Carhartt’s sustainability, procurement, and product development teams had to work closely together, aligning their timelines with the cycles of cotton farming. This approach has revealed new challenges and learning opportunities for Carhartt’s team.
“One of the biggest learnings from our first trial was the timing shift of planning our cotton needs to line up with the planting, growing, and harvesting of the cotton,” explained Valade. “Another key learning was the element of risk with farm-direct sourcing. Despite all the planning, if it’s a difficult growing season, we have to be willing to work with what the Earth gives us.”
Developing the “Thank a Farmer” T-shirt required collaboration beyond the farm level. Carhartt partnered with both a spinning mill and a textile mill to create a fully traceable product, leveraging their expertise in knitting and garment manufacturing to bring Climate Beneficial™ cotton into a finished product. The project relied on trust, adaptability, and a shared commitment to responsible practices across the entire supply chain.
“We started working with a trusted vertical partner, who we have a long-standing relationship with, to take the cotton fiber and turn it into a garment,” said Valade. “Together, we worked closely with a new spinning partner on the yarn developments. The project took a great deal of collaboration across the entire supply chain.”
Sustainability Goals and the Future of Responsible Cotton
For Carhartt, this project aligns with a broader commitment to responsible cotton sourcing and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Though still in its early stages, this exploration of Climate Beneficial sourcing has provided valuable insights that are helping Carhartt refine its approach to sustainable material use.
“We’re proud to partner with the hardworking people and farmers who are growing the cotton that goes into our product, which further supports our goals of transitioning to more responsible cotton,” Valade shared. Carhartt’s involvement in the Climate Beneficial coalition has opened doors to trial new sustainability practices, from alternative printing methods for graphics to plastic-free packaging options.
Through this project, Carhartt has not only embraced Climate Beneficial™ cotton sourcing but has also set an example for the industry. Fibershed, Carhartt’s partner in this endeavor, praised the initiative as a “truly industry-leading model,” noting how unique it is to see a brand uniting sustainability, sourcing, product development, and business teams toward a single goal. “In the industry, there is a lot of talk about integrating sustainability and business, and Carhartt is showing how to do it,” said Fibershed. “Their innovative work allows them to create fully traceable, American-grown products, backed by Climate Beneficial™ Verified data.”
Fibershed also highlighted the significance of the project in supporting American farmers and implementing regenerative farming practices: “The Climate Beneficial™ Coalition is honored to partner with Carhartt in supporting cotton growers to implement farming practices that heal the planet and support communities.”
These early efforts are informing the next steps in Carhartt’s approach to responsible cotton sourcing. “The Climate Beneficial team and their knowledge and relationships were critical to our development success,” Valade noted. “This partnership allowed us to build relationships with the farmers and trial new manufacturing and development practices. The learnings from this partnership are helping pave the way for the next phase of our cotton strategy.”
Through the Climate Beneficial verification, Carhartt hopes to communicate the benefits of this approach to consumers in a meaningful way. The verification serves as a bridge, helping consumers understand the positive impact of supporting products made with Climate Beneficial practices. “Climate Beneficial verification helps us communicate the story to our consumers on the benefits of farming this way,” said Valade.
Support Climate Beneficial agriculture and Charhartt’s innovative work by getting your own “Thank a Farmer” T-shirt.