Patagonia

This is from Today's Patagonia Catalog:

"Your purcheases have helped fledgling organic growers support their families - and to plant more acreage without the use of harmful chemicals. Your purchases have influenced other clothing companies to use organic cotton content (often without fan-fare), and that too helps validate and encourage organic farmers who are still a vast minority in the scheme of worldwide agriculture...

Cotton may be natural, but it's one of the most toxic crops on the planet soaking up more than 10 percent of the pesticides and nearly 25 percent of the insecticides used worldwide. Some of the chemicals used were originaly formulated as nerve gases for warefare. As much as a athird of a pound of these toxins goes into producing a single pound of fiber...

We tip our hat to the following companies who now use varying amounts of organically grown cotton in their clothing: Hanna Anderson, Marks & Spencer, Mountain Equipment, Co-op, Nike, Nordstrom, Norm Thompson, Prana, Stewart+Brown and Timberland....

The worldwide demand for organically grown cotton, like that for organic food, is booming. It has tripled since we made the switch in 1996. Our own business has grown at a modest but steady rate, and we couldn't have done it without you. so thanks again. there are many ways to create change in the worlds, but voting with our dollars is one of the most effective."