Shafter Cotton Research Station

The plaque calls the one variety cotton district a marketing advantage. It was a law. From 1925 until 1978, growers across six San Joaquin counties and more than four million acres could plant only Acala, bred at this station and sold through a single agency. Possessing other cottonseed was itself illegal, and a nonconforming crop was a public nuisance the district attorney could have destroyed. When comparison trials were finally run in 1966, other varieties narrowly outyielded the best Acala at all seven sites.

What the plaque says

Acala Cotton Shafter Cotton Research Station The Shafter Cotton Research Station, established here in 1922 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, developed the "Acala" varieties which were exceptionally well-suited to the San Joaquin Valley. The quality of the Acala cottons and the marketing advantage of the one-variety cotton district, created in 1925, resulted in premium cottons with a world-wide demand. Through the continued vision and cooperative efforts of growers and researchers, production of Acala cotton became one of California's largest agricultural enterprises. California Registered Historical Landmark No. 1022 Plaque placed by the State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the California Cotton Growers Association. September 22, 1997

Where it stands

More markers nearby

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