In addition to his willingness to apply new technologies and experiment with new production practices, Herman Majors was also applauded for his sensible management of people. On his farm in Orrville, Alabama, Majors also drew praise for sensible marketing practices, leading him to be named the Cotton Grower Magazine Cotton Achievement Award recipient for 1980.

Farming 1,350 acres in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, Dalton Pittman planted cotton on every last bit of it in the early 80s. A nomination form described his production program, calling it "as modern and innovative as his new IBM computer." That progressive attitude towards cotton production led Pittman to the 1981 Cotton Grower Magazine Cotton Achievement Award.

Harlingen, Texas cotton producer Tommy Funk was selected for the 1982 Cotton Grower Magazine Cotton Achievement Award. The son of previous Achievement Award winner Jack Funk (though they farmed separately), Tommy was noted for his top notch crop management, and for being "one of the most progressive producers in the country."

Bill Pearson of Webb, Miss. was selected for the 1983 Cotton Achievement Award. Nominated by legendary Extension agent Dr. George Mullendore, Pearson's Rainbow Plantation was said to host so many on-farm trials that people mistook it for a research farm. Industry experts praised Pearson for his innovation and success in producing high yielding cotton.

Uvalde, Texas cotton producer Dr. Richard Kinzer won the 1984 Cotton Achievement Award thanks to his efforts in raising yields in the Winter Garden area and on his own 1,000 acre farm. In addition to managing his own farm in 1984, Kinzer was a private consultant who helped pioneer season-shortening management practices while raising yields and improving fiber quality.

Greenville, Mississippi's Wayne Bush won the 1985 Cotton Achievement Award. Bush was noted for his meticulous, detail-oriented management practices. The veteran cotton producer was also praised for being a shining example of proper stewardship of the land.

Chuck Youngker of Buckeye, Ariz., won the 1986 Cotton Grower Magazine Cotton Achievement Award. Youngker was described as an innovator, which was a necessity for a cotton producer hoping to scratch out a crop in the Arizona desert in the mid-80s. Youngker experimented heavily with nutrient applications, and was noted for his willingness to try new products.

Known predominantly for his tireless activism, Robroy Fisher was also a successful cotton producer who led the charge on many production breakthroughs. The Glen Allan, Miss., farmer was the 1987 recipient of the Cotton Grower Magazine Cotton Achievement Award thanks to his dedication to the future of the cotton industry.

1988 Cotton Achievement Award winner Ray Young had a reputation for turning "throw away land" into high-yielding cotton ground. The Wisner, La. farmer and consultant extended his wealth of knowledge to his neighbors and other growers in his area. In a year that brought drought to much of Louisiana, Young's minimum-tillage approach helped save many growers from on-farm disaster.

Farming 14,000 acres near Fresno, California, Mark Borba and his family of farmers took special care to maximize efficiency on their operation. Innovative production practices led to success, as well as to the 1989 Cotton Achievement Award. Borba led the charge to shift to narrow 30-inch rows on his farm which led to immediate yield increases of up to three-quarters of a bale.