Did you know.....

Jordan has a Social Studies project due next week on "Compare and Contrast an 1800s invention to that same invention today" So, her project is on the Cotton Gin. Well, we googled it and found out that there was a cotton gin plant near Dothan. We took a chance and went there this past Saturday just to get a picture of her by the sign. But lo and behold there was someone in the office and he took us around the plant and explained the "ins and outs" of cotton ginning. Very interesting! We have a new found respect for our cotton industry.


First, cotton is grown by the farmers. Here is Jordan in a local cotton field.



Here is the cotton "boll" on the vine. It's not quite ready to pick. Maybe within the next few weeks. The cotton gin company will buy the cotton from the farmers.



The cotton gin company brings the cotton back to their plant to clean it and sell it.



The cotton is then put into "loose dirty bales" using this cotton turbine and transported to the plant where it is then put on a conveyer belt and loosened up by a machine.



Everything inside the plant is controlled by this "computer brain".




The "dirty" cotton is sent to this machine that separates the seeds from the cotton. The seeds, stems, needles, and dirt are then sold for cattle feed, fertilization, and compost.




The "clean" cotton is then graded by a USDA officer. The grades range from A-D with A being the highest grade. The cotton is sold in units called "bales". These bales weigh between 412-520 lbs. The guy said that on a good day they can produce one bale of clean cotton per every 3 minutes !!!!!!!!!!! Cotton is used to produce clothing, diapers, home insullation, car seats, mattresses, money, etc. (yes, there is cotton in our money!)