Registration is now open for the 32nd session of the Texas International Cotton School, scheduled for August 6 through 17, 2012, in Lubbock.

The intensive two-­week program covers all aspects of cotton, from the field to the fabric. Since its inception, the school has been a collaboration between the Texas cotton merchants who make up the Lubbock Cotton Exchange and the faculty and staff of the Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute of Texas Tech University.

“Those interested should register early because the class size is limited and last year’s class was near the maximum that can be handled in our facilities,” said Dean Ethridge, managing director of the Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute.

“The size and diversity of the class stimulates learning and results in friendships that may extend years into the future.”

During the two weeks of the school more than 30 experts from across the United States teach the students, who learn about the cotton marketing chain – including seed breeding, farm production, harvesting, ginning, warehousing, merchandising, and textile manufacturing. All aspects of U.S. and global trade of cotton are covered, so the students obtain an understanding of what is required to successfully participate in the U.S. cotton market and to deliver the cottons needed in diverse export markets.

They learn about the important quality attributes of cotton fibers and how these translate into processing efficiency and textile product quality. Throughout the program, they have repeated opportunities to interact with the cotton merchants of the Lubbock Cotton Exchange and the fiber and textile experts of Texas Tech University.

For more information, including tuition and curriculum, visit http://www.texasintlcottonschool.com or call Christi Chadwell, TICS coordinator, at (806) 742-­‐2838 Ext. 233.