In Pace’s mind, the Arkansas Boll Weevil Eradication Program is the Gold Standard of boll weevil eradication programs found across the Cotton Belt. By eliminating the boll weevil’s existence in the state, Arkansas producers have been able to effectively control their production costs and grow the industry within the state’s borders as a result.

None of that success would have been possible though, he says, without the unified cooperation of the entire cotton growing community. Pace, a farmer from Marvell, says it is his hope to see that collaboration continue to work toward the industry’s shared goal and fully eradicate the boll weevil beyond our own state, through South Texas and across Mexico.