Agriculture
Farmland Preservation in Southwest Michigan
Farmland preservation is a hot topic in Michigan, and agriculture is very important to southwest Michigan's economy. The state leads the nation in the production of several crops, including asparagus; black and cranberry beans; cucumbers; tart cherries; Niagara grapes; and squash. Michigan agriculture contributes more than $104.7 billion annually to our state’s economy, second in diversity only to California. The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission can provide your community with resources such as maps and sample ordinances to help protect farmland.
The Land Policy Institute at Michigan State University has a focus area on Farmland Preservation. Both Van Buren County and Berrien County have Farmland Preservation Programs.
The Southwest Michigan Local Food Council is a collective of advocates that takes evidence-based actions toward the development of an equitable regional food system that values local farmers and entrepreneurs.
USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. The Census of Agriculture, taken only once every five years, looks at land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures.
Van Buren County Ag Census Berrien County Ag Census Cass County Ag Census
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