Growing Cotton in Georgia: Legal Restrictions Protect the Industry

You need a permit from the Georgia Department of Agriculture to grow cotton—even ornamentally. Only educational/historical groups typically qualify. The reason: boll weevil eradication cost $720M and relies on monitoring every cotton plant. Unmonitored garden cotton could harbor weevils undetected.

History Lesson

Boll weevil arrived in 1915, devastated the crop by 80% in 7 years. Eradication succeeded through pheromone traps and strict regulation. Homeowner traps aren't feasible.

See Cotton Legally

Visit Atlanta History Center (404-814-4000) for expert-grown cotton and history.