Our Story
Who is Silverleafe?
Silverleafe is a diversified holding company specializing in agriculture, investment, and water management based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. Founded by the Patterson family, the company made a significant investment in 2018 in a joint venture in Uzbekistan, forming Silverleafe LLC. This venture developed a substantial cotton cluster in the Jizzakh region of southern Uzbekistan, where it now farms 2,000 hectares and oversees the harvest of nearly 9,000 hectares of cotton. The Patterson family's connection to Uzbekistan's cotton sector stretches back to its early development in the 1930s. In 2018, they embraced an invitation to contribute to the modernization of Uzbekistan's agricultural sector, participating in the sweeping reforms initiated by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Today, Dan Patterson, a seasoned expert in the cotton industry, serves as the General Director of the Uzbek-US joint venture, Silverleafe LLC, and CEO of Silverleafe International. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Dan remained in the Uzbek cotton fields, introducing innovative Western technologies aligned with international market standards and incorporating local workers and experts into the modernization efforts through hands-on training. While in Uzbekistan, Patterson experienced firsthand the lifting of the Uzbek Cotton Pledge in 2022. Since 2010, this policy has discouraged international brands from using Uzbek cotton in their supply chains due to concerns over forced and child labor.
Despite the end of this boycott, Patterson noted that the international community was still reluctant to engage with Uzbek cotton, mainly due to the lingering stigma associated with past labor abuses. Committed to changing this perception and leveraging his deep knowledge of the Uzbek cotton industry, Dan spearheaded the development of the Digital Ag Track & Trace (DATT) solution. This technological advancement led to the founding of Silverleafe Cotton Tracing, marking the launch of the world's first supply of Conflict-Free Cotton from Uzbekistan.
Fueled by Uzbekistan Reform
Fueled by the comprehensive reforms under President Mirziyoyev, Silverleafe first implemented the DATT solution during the 2023 cotton harvest on its farms in Uzbekistan. In 2024, the initiative expanded through a partnership with John Deere, bringing other Uzbek cotton producers and textile manufacturers on board. Looking ahead to 2025, with continued support from John Deere, Silverleafe Cotton Tracing is set to expand its reach internationally, thereby enhancing the global supply of Conflict-Free Cotton.
Silverleafe Cotton Tracing stands out for its high-quality, competitively priced products that offer digital verification of origin and a continuous chain of custody from the field to the finished product. This system enables farmers and textile manufacturers to access premium markets in Western Europe and the USA, improving their technical knowledge and overall living standards.
Introducing New Cotton Tracing Technology
Silverleafe Cotton Tracing is working with John Deere to unveil a revolutionary new technology to ensure an ethical and transparent global textile supply chain in a groundbreaking initiative for the global textile industry.
With approximately 70% of the world's cotton supply still harvested manually, the risk of human rights violations due to the use of temporary migrant labor is a significant concern that plagues the integrity of the textile industry. Governments, NGOs, activists, and consumers have never been more demanding of increased transparency, traceability, and accountability.
Silverleafe Cotton Tracing has introduced a new Digital Track and Trace solution that promises to transform the cotton production landscape. The innovative technology onboard John Deere cotton harvesters will enable the issuance of a "digital birth certificate" containing geospatial footprints, farm and harvest data, and serial numbers for machine-harvested cotton, effectively proving its origin and ensuring that it is free from human rights abuses.
This "digital birth certificate" sets a new benchmark for transparency, traceability, and accountability, marking the beginning of the era of Conflict-Free Cotton. Digital Ag Track and Trace (DATT), a new technology born from this collaboration, will use the digital birth certificate to empower global textile brands to confidently source cotton that is verified to be free from the potential human rights violations commonly associated with cotton harvesting.
Our Mission
We are driven by a commitment to transparency, sustainability, and the protection of human rights within the global cotton industry. At Silverleafe Cotton Tracing, our mission is twofold: #1. To revolutionize the traceability of cotton #2. To ensure the ethical sourcing of cotton from field to fabric.Transforming Cotton Traceability
In the face of widespread challenges in the cotton supply chain, from opaque transactions to questionable labor practices, our objective is clear: introduce a level of traceability previously unseen in the industry. Our Digital Ag Track & Trace (DATT) solution embodies this commitment. By integrating cutting-edge RFID technology and comprehensive digital tracking systems, we provide a verifiable chain of custody for every cotton batch. This allows us to not only trace cotton back to its origins but also ensure that each step of its journey—from the farm to the textile mill—is documented and transparent.
Ensuring Ethical Sourcing in Cotton
Ethical sourcing is at the core of our operational ethos. Silverleafe Cotton Tracing is dedicated to eradicating forced and child labor from the cotton industry. By closely monitoring our supply chains and working only with partners who adhere to our stringent ethical standards, we ensure that all Silverleafe-certified products are free from human rights abuses. This commitment extends beyond compliance; it's about setting a new standard for the industry.Partnering for a Sustainable Future
We believe in the power of collaboration to foster change. Silverleafe Cotton Tracing partners with local and international stakeholders—including farmers, textile manufacturers, fashion brands, and non-governmental organizations—to support and promote sustainable practices across the industry. These partnerships are crucial in our quest to not only improve cotton traceability but also enhance the livelihoods of the farmers and communities involved.
Commitment to Innovation
Continuous innovation is essential to achieving our mission. We are constantly exploring new technologies and methodologies that can enhance the traceability and ethics of cotton production. Our research and development team works tirelessly to refine our DATT solution and develop new tools that can provide greater insights and better outcomes for the global cotton supply chain.
Through these efforts, Silverleafe Cotton Tracing is not just transforming an industry—we are redefining it, ensuring that every cotton product can be traced back to a source that is just, ethical, and sustainable. Join us in weaving a future where every thread tells a story of integrity and respect.
