Outgoing Cotton Leader Optimistic Despite Market Challenges

Allen Espey of Southern Cotton Ginners Association sees tough times but remains hopeful for cotton's future.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Allen Espey, the outgoing president of the Southern Cotton Ginners Association, offered a ray of optimism as he reflected on his term of office. Despite acknowledging the current difficulties in the cotton market, Espey remains optimistic about the future of the industry, citing the need to increase demand for cotton products.

Why it matters

Espey's perspective provides insight into the challenges facing the cotton industry, including declining demand, as well as the efforts being made by industry groups to promote cotton and address these challenges. His optimism and commitment to the industry suggest a belief that cotton can overcome the current market slump.

The details

Espey, who has been involved in the cotton industry since the age of 9, has seen the evolution of the industry, from the use of suction pipes to pull cotton from trailers to the use of module feeders. He credits organizations like the Southern Cotton Ginners Association, the National Cotton Council, and Cotton Incorporated for helping to advance the mission of cotton and move the needle forward for cotton gins and growers. Espey sees the need for increased demand for cotton products as the biggest challenge facing the industry, and he believes that initiatives like the 'Plant, Not Plastics' campaign can help address this issue.

  • Espey started working at Espey Gin at age 9 in 1974 after his father bought the gin.
  • Espey began participating in the Southern Cotton Ginners Association in the late 1980s.

The players

Allen Espey

The outgoing president of the Southern Cotton Ginners Association, who has been involved in the cotton industry since the age of 9 when he started working at his family's gin.

Billy Espey

Allen Espey's father, who purchased the Espey Gin in 1974.

Will Espey

Allen Espey's son, who is actively involved in the farming and cotton gin operations.

Tim Price

The executive director of the Southern Cotton Ginners Association, who Espey credits for the effective management of the association.

William Lindamood

The retiring director of safety for the Southern Cotton Ginners Association.

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What they’re saying

“It's been a tough year. But we've seen tough times before. In the '70s, we saw demand for cotton drop. It goes in cycles. We've just got to get that demand back up.”

— Allen Espey, Outgoing President, Southern Cotton Ginners Association (farmprogress.com)

“I haven't missed a gin show since I was 9 years old.”

— Allen Espey, Outgoing President, Southern Cotton Ginners Association (farmprogress.com)

“It was a good year for the operations of the association. We had our meetings that we always have all through the year and have kept up with stuff — the district meeting, the safety meetings, the midyear meeting. They were all well-attended.”

— Allen Espey, Outgoing President, Southern Cotton Ginners Association (farmprogress.com)

“Austin is going to be good. He's young and has a lot to give.”

— Allen Espey, Outgoing President, Southern Cotton Ginners Association (farmprogress.com)

“We've got to get people wearing cotton and using cotton more. I think that's the biggest problem. We got to get our demand up.”

— Allen Espey, Outgoing President, Southern Cotton Ginners Association (farmprogress.com)

What’s next

Espey will be passing the leadership of the Southern Cotton Ginners Association to the next generation, as his son, Will, is actively involved in the farming and cotton gin operations.

The takeaway

Despite the current challenges facing the cotton industry, including declining demand, Espey remains optimistic about the future of cotton. His commitment to the industry and his belief in the importance of organizations like the Southern Cotton Ginners Association suggest that the industry is working to address these challenges and find ways to increase demand for cotton products.