SHAFTER, Calif. -- There's a little known secret in the heart of Shafter that's helping cotton growers across the nation thrive.

It’s called the Shafter Research and Extension Center.

Their labs are buzzing with scientists who are hard at work behind microscopes trying to figure out better ways to make cotton grow and beat the bugs that attack them.

The leading researcher said this year the Western Tarnished Plant Bug is attacking California’s cotton more than ever.

That’s why they’re working on ways to attack the bug with its natural enemy, a fungus that is found in the San Joaquin Valley.

Scientists are trying to figure out if the fungus can kill the bugs on other winter crops so they don't move onto cotton crops during the summer.

If they find that the fungus can kill off the bugs, then growers could be looking at a more profitable crop in the future without the use of pesticides.

Researchers said there is still a lot more work to be done, but their findings look promising.