Preamble:
The BLACKollective is a free-to-join, national farmer-member-based collective. Developed and run by Seed2Shirt, facilitated as a cotton grower empowerment social resource network, we facilitate the exchange of agricultural information, resources, and services between and directly to our farm members. We provide this information, resources, and services via our online platform, peer-to-peer network, and when coordinated at in-person events. This cotton grower empowerment social resource network includes online member profiles and resources encouraging and facilitating direct member-based communication amongst members in our secure online platform and events. The BLACKollective provides exclusive benefits to its members, offered directly by Seed2Shirt and its curated partners, who offer no extractive resources and services critical to the success of farms.
The BLACKollective stands for Black Land Agroecology Cotton-farmer Kollective (B.L.A.C.Kollective) “The Kollective.” Re-Building Black Cotton Production Economies & Infrastructure Futures. We are using and implementing New, Accessible, and Equitable Approaches that Restore, Reclaim, and Heals Black Land Stewardship & Communities. Our members should think of this as the long-term rebuilding of a Black Cotton Production ecosystem that Seed2Shirt is leading and our Cotton Farmers are a valuable part of. We invest in cotton ginning, milling, and final product marketplaces. As we shared: “This is More Than a T-shirt…It’s a Movement,” we look forward to you joining us!.
1. Nature of the Service
As a member of Seed2Shirt BLACKollective, you will be eligible to receive information and resources offered to all members (see below). If you elect to become a premium member, you will be able to sell (select cotton) you grow to Seed2Shirt BLACKollective in a traditional cotton merchant relationship - meaning there is a cotton merchant contract that will be in place between your farm and Seed2Shirt to purchase the selected cotton. The resources available to ALL BLACKollective members are noted below. Additionally, you can access other information, exclusive events, and offerings via our peer-to-peer network.
Micro Grant Program: Annually and Seasonally offered to all members in various ranges between: $5- $10,000-USD.
Equipment Trust: Access to our equipment trust enables you to list critical cotton-growing equipment needs. As an organization, we are founders of a National Equipment Trust that has equipment donated or purchased and then donated to our organization for distribution to growers based on their identified needs. As a member, you will have access to this Equipment Trust, and we will annually access the equipment needs of our members and work to get the necessary and requested equipment items distributed to you. So that your efficient and resilient cotton growing practices are possible with efficient equipment. During your intake as a member, you will complete the necessary documentation so we can understand your cotton-growing equipment needs.
Land Retention Program: This black farmer's land retention program focuses on non-extractive capital to save and/or retain farmland. It is application-based and offered by our partners to our member farms to support land retention in the Black farming community.
Land & People Regenerative Cotton Growing Programs - Technical Assistance: Direct on-farm agronomist support to implementing your sustainable, resilient farm journey into some of the programs we offer: Climate Beneficial(TM) Verified Cotton program, GOTS organic certification, and indigenous restorative land practice implementation. If you sign up for our "Premium Membership," which allows you to sell us your cotton AND you want to begin healthier cotton growing practices (for you & land), you will then be aligned with our cotton-growing agronomist conservation specialist to support you with the implementation of the program and practices of your choice.
Peer-to-Peer Network: All members will have a profile and access to the members within the BLACKollective. The platform allows you to exchange information, tips, and resources and to connect and network with other cotton farmers. Most importantly, we offer many resources, educational content, workshops, and events that can enhance your farming operations.
Premium Members - Regeneratively Grown Cotton Price Premiums: Get the option to sell select cotton to Seed2Shirt and, if the grower desires, to begin healthier cotton growing practices, the cotton that is grown in a healthier/balanced way will receive a "price premium" for that cotton within our cotton merchant services offering
Premium Members - Dedicated Cotton Merchant Advocate: We’re Your Dedicated Cotton Merchant Servicer – We Advocate and Curate Long-Term Buyers and Relationships Within Our Committed Brands / Partner Community to Purchase From The Kollective in Pre-committed cotton purchases model. We continually develop emerging Market Access for the cotton from our farmer members cotton to end up in, we curate true lines for our cotton from the Kollective which makes us unique to any other “merchant” relationship. Enhancing the growth of cotton farmers we work with. This includes:
For Our Land/People Regenerative Cotton Growing Programs: We Provide Soil Health Monitoring Verification of Climate Landscape Changes – Includes No Cost Detailed Soil Testing
We Provide No-Cost Cotton Specification Testing at Our Dedicated Labs, Enabling Precise Brand and Mill-Spec Quality Matching. Access to Farmer Enrichment Program (FEP)Resources: Financial—Our Micro-Grant Seed Fund Supports Implementation and Harvest (i.e., Bags/Seeds).
We employ three 100% Traceability programs from bale to final garment: 1. Field-level remote Sensing Data; 2. Bale data via UPC/Trace Data; 3. Mill-to-garment trace Data; and 4. Our Blockchain Impact Data. This enables us to trace, measure, and verify our cotton-in-final garment stats and impact from our work in our BLACKollective program.
2. User Registration and Information
The member shall fill in the correct information requested in the User Registration form on the site. The member shall be required to update the User Information on the site promptly. The member shall select a username and password during the User Registration process. The member shall be responsible for a) all use of the Site made by the Member username and password and b) maintaining the confidentiality of the Member username and password.
3. Content
Content includes profiles, messages, and other materials posted to forums, groups, or other locations on the website by the members of The BLACKollective. Member of The BLACKollective is deemed to grant The BLACKollective the nonexclusive right to post, display, and copy the content in connection with the operation of the website and The BLACKollective’s business. Further, the Member is deemed to grant The BLACKollective the nonexclusive right to post, display, copy, and use the Content within the limitations set by the Member during the online publishing process. Member is also deemed to authorize The BLACKollective to disclose his/her profile and/or personal data when the Member includes such personal data in the content.
4. Media Release
BLACKollective members give Seed2Shirt permission to use my image and to copy, distribute, modify, display, and use it publicly and otherwise, and authorize others to use my image in any video or print form for any educational or Seed2Shirt-related purpose throughout the world and in any media. Seed2Shirt reserves the right to use my image on its public website. I understand and agree that Seed2Shirt may publish, copyright, and use pictures of me in which I may be included in whole or in part, composite or retouched in character or form through display, exhibition, state/public department publications, Internet/World Wide Web or editorial use without any liability or compensation to me. I understand and agree that Seed2Shirt is not liable to me for any unauthorized reproduction or use by a third party.
5. Release
If the Member has a dispute with one or more other Members, the Member shall release The BLACKollective (and its officers, directors, agents, subsidiaries, joint ventures, and employees) from claims, demands, and damages (actual and consequential) of every kind and nature, known and unknown, arising out of or in any way connected with such disputes.
6. Privacy
The BLACKollective shall not sell or rent Members' personal information to third parties without Members' explicit consent. The BLACKollective shall store and process Members' information on computers in the United States that are protected by physical and technological security devices. However, The BLACKollective shall be permitted to access and modify Members' information. The Member has the right and responsibility to update their information at any time and shall keep information current within their member profile section for clear, effective communication.
7. Indemnity
Member shall indemnify and hold The BLACKollective (and its officers, directors, agents, subsidiaries, joint ventures, and employees) harmless from any claim or demand, including reasonable attorneys' fees, made by any third party due to or arising out of Members breach of this Agreement, or Members violation of any law or the rights of a third party.
8. No Agency
This Agreement intends or creates no agency, partnership, joint venture, employee-employer, or franchiser-franchisee relationship.
9. Terminating Membership
Member can chose to cancel their Membership at any time, at time of cancellation the members profile data shall choose to retire or delete the published content from The BLACKollective site and it shall be no longer available or visible to other visitors. Terms regarding the status of the uploaded content shall remain applicable when the Member chooses to terminate the membership. Other than the published content, content posted to the site shall not be deleted or retired due to the Member's termination. Members must submit their "Member Cancellation" request via the member portal.
10. Governing Law
This Agreement shall be construed under and governed in accordance with the laws of Nevada.
11. Arbitration
Any dispute arising under this contract shall be resolved under the commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association.
12. Limitation of Liability
Member shall not hold Community responsible for other User Member content, actions, or inactions.
This Membership Agreement (the Agreement) is effective (Date that this application is submitted) by and between the Seed2Shirt, within our Farmer Enrichment Program: The Black Land and Agroecology Cotton-farmer Kollective (BLACKollective), hereinafter referred to as The BLACKollective or Kollective, accessed via www.seed2shirt.com (via password), with a business address of 4850 Arid Ave #2075, Las Vegas, Nevada 89115, and all current and future members of Seed2Shirt - Black Land and Agroecology Cotton-farmer Kollective (BLACKollective) hereinafter referred to as "Member."
By accessing, browsing, or using the www.seed2shirt.com website and by selecting "Join and Accept Terms and Conditions" of Membership during the membership registration, you represent that you have read, understand, and agree to the terms and conditions of this Membership Agreement hereinafter referred to as Agreement. We encourage you to read and review each section thoroughly before signing.
Agreement Acceptance
By signing below, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these terms.