DRY BEANS, Part II: Where are they grown and used?

Michigan is second in the nation in navy, dark red kidney, and light red kidney bean production, and we lead the nation in black turtle and cranberry bean production with 60% and 84% of the total, respectively.
    The fertile soils of the Bay-Thumb area are particularly well suited for growing dry beans.  Michigan dry beans are available world-wide and are especially popular in the United Kingdom and gaining popularity in Mexico. They are and will continue to be an important and valuable commodity to Michigan agriculture.  

Because Navy beans comprise almost half of the dry beans grown in Michigan, separate maps of their major areas of production are shown below. 

Source: Hill, E.B., Riddell, F.T., and F.F. Elliot. 1930. Types of farming in Michigan. Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station Special Bulletin 206.

This material has been compiled for educational use only, and may not be reproduced without permission.  One copy may be printed for personal use.  Please contact Randall Schaetzl (soils@msu.edu) for more information or permissions.