The Good Cashmere Standard (GCS), in partnership with North American textile company JCrew and others, has launched its third model farm in Inner Mongolia, China. This new 200-hectare farm, Eridenibatu, is home to 600 cashmere goats and aims to serve as a hub for knowledge exchange and sustainable cashmere production solutions. Since mid-2024, the farm has hosted training sessions to equip herders with the tools and expertise needed to adopt responsible practices.

With the addition of Eridenibatu, GCS now operates three model farms that focus on best practices for animal welfare, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable cashmere farming. Katherine O'Hare, Vice President of Sustainability at JCrew, emphasized the importance of these farms in advancing responsible production and supporting the company’s goal of sourcing 100 per cent of its key fibers from sustainable sources.

Since 2022, GCS has been dedicated to helping herders transition to sustainable cashmere production. Figo Li, a GCS representative in China, highlighted the role of model farms in fostering collaboration and providing practical solutions for animal, human, and environmental welfare. The farms also facilitate peer-to-peer training, with up to four sessions per year for interested herders.

The Good Cashmere Standard was established by the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) in 2019 to promote transparency in the supply chain, improve working conditions, and safeguard animal welfare. Today, GCS stands as the global leader in sustainably produced cashmere fibers.