challenges suggest the need for research with cotton growers, distributers and participants in the production cycle, to understand what people think the future holds for the industry, and it's cotton communities. Combining social perspectives with economic and community development, this research can work with the industry to plan for both the challenges of the marketplace, and the challenge of maintaining community viability. While scientific research helps the cotton industry to achieve better production, social research can help the industry develop a plan for the future that strengthens the social fabric with cotton fibre.