The Agricultural Economy of the Kalamazoo-Black-Macatawa-Paw Paw Rivers Basin

Excerpts from the report: The Study Area is located in southwestern Michigan and contains about 3,050 square miles or 1,954,000 acres. This involves significant portions of 10 counties: Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Calhoun, Eaton, Hillsdale, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Ottawa, and Van Buren. The area is about 100 miles long and 50 miles wide at the widest point. The largest drainage basin is that of the Kalamazoo, with some 2,060 square miles. Topography varies from nearly level at the eastern extremity to rolling hills in the west. Soils are varied and complex ranging from very heavy to sands and gravels with some depressional areas of organic soils. The basin is located in a land resource area, entitled the Lake States fruit, truck crops, and dairy area. This base study analyzes current basic structure of the area's economy and includes projections of population, employment, income, and agricultural production. The data presented in this report are intended to provide cooperating agencies with information on recent economic activity only. Attention is given to trends in population, employment in major economic sectors, and major land uses. Since the focus of the study is toward the agricultural activity in rural areas, particular emphasis is placed on socioeconomic aspects of the rural population, farm characteristics, and agricultural production.