The 120-acre center is the result of the foresight of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which sent a scientist to Kern County in 1916 to investigate potential cotton production in California and then established a research station in 1922, known locally as the Kern County Experimental Farm and internationally as the U.S. Cotton Field Station. The 75th anniversary of the Center was celebrated in 1997. At that time the Center was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a plaque recognizing the Center as a California Registered Historical Landmark was dedicated.
Although cotton production in California dates back to the Spanish mission period, it was considered a minor crop with little expectation of a bright future. California was considered too far away from the spinning and weaving industries of the east coast, too far removed for cotton brokers to provide oversight in purchasing. Researchers and administrators of the USDA and UC believed that a cotton industry could be established if all farmers with the state adopted a single high quality variety. They believed that this "one-variety" district concept would overcome the remote broker marketing problem allowing buyers, here and abroad, to be confident that unseen cotton would perform the same in the mills year to year and farm to farm. They believed that this concept was essential for development of cotton industry and should be supported by law. In 1925, the California legislature passed into law the ACALA one variety cotton district for the state, completing the elements suggested by the visionaries. California cotton production rose from 2% of the nation's output to more than 20%. 
Post WWII development of agricultural chemicals and advances in mechanization had a dramatic effect on cotton research and production in California. The Center staff, including researchers from UC, USDA and California Planting Cotton Seed Distributors (CPCSD) during the 1950s grew to 55. Researchers from many disciplines collaborated under the unofficial Center motto of "superior cotton variety" and "superior production information." The variety development and seed production responsibilities of CPCSD were moved from the Center to their own facilities by 1978.
The University assumed management responsibilities in 1992, with an understanding among the University, USDA, Kern County, and the cotton industry. The breeding experiments that were conducted at the Shafter Research and Extension Center in the 1920s and 1930s, and later have made the California cotton industry what it is today. The research performed at the Center has greatly assisted in the development of a cotton that is recognized worldwide as "premium." Cotton research has focused on varieties, weed and insect control (both chemical and biological), disease management and control, agricultural engineering, and irrigation, including furrow, sprinkler, and drip systems. Since 1993, the Center has added or has made plans to grow jojoba, oil crops, safflower breeding, blackeye beans, potatoes, alfalfa, wheat trials, sudan grass, barley, and field corn.
The Center's terrain is flat with sparse vegetation. One soil series, Wasco sandy loam, is dominant. Water is provided by the Shafter-Wasco Irrigation district or a deep water well on the property.
Shafter Research and Extension Center has 14 UC employees representing farm and support staffs and the following departments: Agronomy and Range Science, Cooperative Extension, and Entomology. The 14 USDA-ARS researchers and staff represent agricultural sciences, biological sciences, entomology, plant pathology, agricultural engineering, and plant physiology. Part-time and summer help are hired as needed.
The Center's main office complex houses a small library, a meeting room, and office space for staff and researchers. Adjacent buildings house additional office space, laboratories, a cotton gin, and storage space. The weather station is part of the California Irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS) network operated by the State of California Department of Water Resources. Greenhouse facilities include a lathe house and six greenhouses with associated head houses. Warehouses and mechanical, welding, and woodshops provide support for maintaining, constructing, and modifying facilities and equipment for research purposes.
An unfurnished house, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is available to visiting researchers, technicians, and students. The Kern County Deputy Agriculture Commissioner maintains an office at the center in another historic building.
In addition to supporting a diverse mix of ongoing research projects, SREC is often the site of field trips, workshops, tours, and hands-on learning opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students from UC campuses, primary and secondary schools and elsewhere.
From Interstate 5 south, exit to Lerdo Highway, Turn left and go 15 miles into Shafter, Turn hard left onto Shafter Avenue and proceed 3 miles.
From Highway 99 south, exit to Kimberlina Avenue, Turn right and go 6-7 miles, Turn left on Shafter Avenue and proceed 2 miles.
Click on SREC for a close-up look!
