Melinda Swift and Sally Ceeney, of Warren, are two of 15 people selected to participate in the Australian Future Cotton Leaders Program, which will see them work with the best and brightest in the industry from all around the country.

The leadership program runs every two years and is delivered by Cotton Australia and the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC).

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The program is best suited to emerging leaders actively working in the Australian cotton industry who want to progress their leadership skills.

Other members of the program range from as far north as Emerald in Queensland, and as south as Melbourne.

Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay said a combination of growers and researchers had been selected for this year's leadership program.

"The applicants we had for this year's program were the strongest we have ever observed, which highlights the depth of leadership potential we are fortunate to have within our industry," Mr Kay said.

"Our selection panel had the challenge of choosing just 15 participants, and I am confident the [project] will help shape those people in their work guiding the Australian cotton industry through the decades ahead."

Mr Kay said the program would provide the cohort of participants with the opportunity to grow as individuals and as a group.

"One of the great things about this flagship program is it empowers each individual participant to flex their leadership muscle in a way tailored to their strengths, while also binding the group of participants in a collegial, constructive way where they become a powerhouse of ideas for our industry," he said.

"We immensely value our industry's people, and I'm extremely confident this group of emerging leaders will help shine a light for the entire cotton industry for years to come."

CRDC Executive Director Dr Ian Taylor, said the Australian Future Cotton Leaders Program would take on extra importance in 2021.

"Last year's pandemic and crises highlighted to us the value of good leadership, and how when our leaders bind together in the face of adversity and share ideas in an agile and positive way, the hurdles we all need to climb become just that bit smaller," Dr Taylor said.

"I believe this program, with its face-to-face forums, an interactive online discussion forum, one-on-one coaching, an individual project, and integration with industry activities, will empower our emerging leaders to dream big and strive for greater success.

"I wish them well on their leadership journey and look forward to working with them as we build a stronger Australian cotton industry."

Australian Future Cotton Leaders Program 2021 participants: