Cotton has been a crucial crop in California and Arizona for decades which helped pave the way for the commercilization of hundreds of other crops through infrastructure and the like.

Among the early cotton pioneers in the Golden State was the Watte family who last year grew more than 700 acres of high quality Pima and Upland cottons.

Mark Watte and his family are the winner of the 2015 Western Farm Press High Cotton Award from Western Farm Press. The Wattes are the 21st recipient of this high touted award.

Enjoy these photos of the Watte farm family in Tulare, Calif. Mark Watte is the winner of the 2015 Western Farm Press High Cotton Award from Western Farm Press.