Two years ago we launched the Wrangler Science and Conservation Program to advocate for land stewardship and soil health best practices in our supply chain. Working with industry, academic and nonprofit farmers, we started the program with the Newby Family in Athens, Alabama and since have expanded to four other family farms.

 

In honor of Earth Day, we invite you to learn more about each family, a group of people who quite literally take care of the earth everyday. And, if you’re so inclined, check out the Wrangler Rooted Collection™, a collection of jeans and shirts made of their
sustainably-grown cotton.

The Newby Family
The Newby Family has been growing cotton on their land in Athens, Alabama for seven generations. Typical cotton production on their land is no-till, uses cover crops, and, where irrigated, relies on probes to conserve water. The farm is jointly run by Jimmy Newby and his children, James Newby, John Newby, Jerry Allen Newby, and Elizabeth Newby Crow. Shop the Alabama Jean.

The McLendon Family
McLendon Acres was started in 1980 by Marty McLendon. For the past 12 years, Marty’s son, Adam, has directly managed all 8800 acres. Adam says, “our whole farming outlook has sustainability at its core.” The McLendon’s practice complex crop rotation, variable rate application, and water management. They also use cover crops. “I’d like everyone to know how much we as farmers love the land and love our jobs.” In their free time, the McLendons love the outdoors: camping, fishing, riding horse, or just exploring the woods. Shop the Georgia Jean.

The Lassiter Family
Lassiter Family Farms started in 1944 when Donny Lassiter’s grandfather returned from World War II. Today, they grow cotton, peanuts, corn, soybeans, wheat and pumpkins on several thousand acres. The Lassiters use GPS and soil samples to create a prescription for every field, which ensure each field has just enough fertilizer. They use cover crops in the fall and winter, and plant their crops with no till. Donny says, “Farming is part experience, art, science, and faith.” In his free time he enjoys traveling to different parts of the world to see how their agriculture systems work and see what he can utilize on his own farm. Shop the North Carolina Jean.

The Pugh Family
The Pugh Family has been in Double Bridges, TN since the late 1860s. Eugene Pugh is the fifth generation to farm to land, where he now grows cotton, corn, and soybeans. Working closely with his local NRCS office, Eugene uses practices like cover crops and conservation tillage to build soil health and control erosion. Eugene says, “Farming is a lifestyle, it’s not a job. I love what I do and wouldn’t want to do anything else.” Shop the Tennessee Jean.

The Smith Family
Fifth-generation farmers Vance and Mandie Smith have been stewarding their family’s land in Big Spring Texas for the past 13 years. To ensure their cotton is grown sustainably, the Smiths use sub-surface drip irrigation, reduced tillage, cover crops, and crop rotation. Of their healthy soils management, Vance says, “it’s out of necessity, we have to do these things to survive.” In addition to cotton, the Smiths grow corn and cattle.

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