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We are truly proud of this program as it embodies both environmental and social benefits. In addition, it represents another strategic milestone in our never ending mission to be true to this planet.

Planet Positive: Volcom's 'Farm To Yarn' Initiative

Welcome back to Planet Positive, a series showcasing brands that produce ethical and eco-friendly products.

We are living in an age where brands are becoming more aware of the impact they play on the environment, resulting in positive changes to their key processes to ensure the best for both Mother Nature and the individuals involved with a products development.

Introducing ‘Farm To Yarn’, a certified and socially conscious, environmental and community first initiative by the folks at Volcom and the latest feature in our Planet Positive story.

‘Farm To Yarn’, under the brands ‘New Future Alliance’ program is one of our favourites yet, ticking all of the above boxes and putting a smile on the faces of millions around the world who strive to support the cause.

Sustainability has been front of mind for Volcom for over a decade, and with a dedicated team implementing strategies, they are constantly continuing to strive to bring the best to quality goods market while being conscious of what’s happening behind the scenes.

“WE ARE TRULY PROUD OF THIS PROGRAM AS IT EMBODIES BOTH ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL BENEFITS. IN ADDITION, IT REPRESENTS ANOTHER STRATEGIC MILESTONE IN OUR NEVER-ENDING MISSION TO BE TRUE TO THIS PLANET.” - Ryan Immegart, Volcom’s Chief Marketing Officer

 

A joint venture with the purpose driven team at Cotton Connect, the program first came to fruition by diving into Volcom’s supply chain to find who is part of the very first steps in a products creation. Focusing on sourcing organic cotton and instilling responsible manufacturing process and providing education programs, the goals are simple - to trace the raw, organic cotton back to the farmers and give back directly to those individuals and communities those making it all happen.

As well as the important eco friendly manufacturing processes, ‘Farm To Yarn’ also supports a Farmer Business Training school in Maharashtra and a Gender Training Program focusing on the empowerment of women in Madhya Pradesh, India.

"It's about helping them learn the best business principles to be smart, and then also teaching them basic life skills that we might take for granted here," Volcom's Global VP of Supply Chain and Compliance, Big Tony says.

“It's been a humbling, eye-opening and life-changing experience. We're proud to be a part of a program like this that allows us to support organic farming training, farmer business school support and a gender roles/empowerment program for the farming communities" he continues.

Visiting the farmers, interacting with the women (who do most of the cotton picking) and getting a glimpse into their daily lives was such an opportunity. Knowing that we're able to – even if in a relatively small way – support the hard work they do, which essentially goes unnoticed, and advance their well-being is very, very rewarding!”

With positive change for the communities evident through education, profits and support combined with Volcom’s high quality garments continuing to shelves around the world, it’s a testament of how important each little step in the puzzle can be. Since beginning the program, the team have followed more than 27 metric tones of certified organic cotton from seed to sample, all traceable directly back to the farm and farmer it came from. Giving back to those who give to us, the customer, to keep us looking fresh in Volcom’s ‘feel good’ threads never felt so good!

As well as business and wellbeing programs, there’s a lot more to 'Farm To Yarn', including GMO testing to ensure seeds are GMO-free, tracking of tested seed to farmer, ensuring tested seeds are planted and linking of farmers to the ginner, ginner to the spinner, spinner to the fabric mill for supply chain transparency. 

You can find Volcom's huge range of 'Farm To Yarn' products here and be sure to watch this space to find out more about Volcom's ‘New Future Alliance’ and the other sustainabile programs the brand are implementing for the greater good.