About PCIA
Built on industry experience.
Focused on American Pima cotton.
Established in 2021, the Pima Cotton Improvement Association (PCIA) works to strengthen American Pima cotton production through practical information, industry knowledge, research communication, and relationships across the cotton industry.
PCIA’s foundation is the firsthand experience of people who understand the challenges growers face—from production decisions and processing requirements to market access and the economics of growing Pima.
How it began
2018
Field trials & early grower communication
2021
PCIA formally established
From practical challenges
to a shared purpose.
PCIA’s roots reach back to challenges emerging within the American Pima cotton industry.
As Pima production expanded in West Texas, growers encountered obstacles beyond growing the crop itself. Access to suitable ginning facilities, dependable markets, production research, and Pima-specific information could be difficult to obtain.
Through his professional work in the cotton industry, Rick Neuenschwander recognized these challenges and advocated for improvements, including greater access to regional roller-ginning facilities and stronger connections between growers, universities, and the businesses serving them.
In 2018, Rick began helping develop the emerging Pima industry through field trials with growers. As acreage and production areas expanded, informal email updates helped answer common questions and provide agronomic guidance.
That early work eventually contributed to the formal establishment of the Pima Cotton Improvement Association in 2021.
What PCIA does today
Knowledge shared.
Connections strengthened.
Information &
market reporting
PCIA publishes The Pima Field & Market Journal, a free weekly publication covering American Pima production, market conditions, supply and demand, research, and industry developments.
Research &
grower education
PCIA shares findings and technical information from universities, researchers, government agencies, and industry sources. Subjects include agronomy, variety performance, crop management, fiber quality, insurance, and production economics.
Industry connections
& advocacy
PCIA works through relationships with growers, gins, cotton merchants, seed and agricultural suppliers, researchers, and industry organizations.
Its leadership communicates with agricultural agencies and industry representatives on issues affecting American Pima growers.
Leadership
Experience across
the industry.
Rick Neuenschwander
Rick’s experience includes large-scale farm management, Pima cotton market and product development, grower relationships, and industry communications.
His work across production and marketing informs PCIA’s publications, outreach, and understanding of the challenges facing American Pima growers.
Shannon Neuenschwander
Shannon brings experience in agricultural associations, organizational administration, and operations.
Her knowledge of commodity organizations contributes to PCIA’s development, management, and ability to serve growers over time.
Together, their backgrounds combine practical cotton-industry experience with an understanding of the organizational support agricultural producers need.
Looking ahead
Grower-focused.
Open to possibility.
PCIA’s longer-term vision includes stronger connections among growers, researchers, processors, merchants, brands, consumers, and other participants throughout the American Pima cotton supply chain.
Opportunities for expanded education, research cooperation, and industry participation may develop as the organization grows.
The priority remains the growers at its foundation—and the information, relationships, and resources that support their success.