Research
The Michigan Dry Bean Industry has a unique agreement between growers and shippers to fund research to develop new bean varieties and improve dry bean quality. New bean varieties are tested for yield and quality characteristics in the field. Further testing for processing and canning quality is conducted in cooperation with Michigan State University.
Much of the Michigan Bean Commission's research is done at the Saginaw Valley Dry Bean and Sugar Beet Research Farm, a 250-acre Tuscola County field station. Current research is being conducted in development and testing, cropping systems research, tillage management, weed control, soil fertility and general crop management. For more information, please visit the Saginaw Valley site.
New Health Research Findings:
"Beans and Inhibition of Cancer" is the first in a series of five papers on the health and nutritional aspects of dry beans. The first four papers are researched and edited by Dr. Maurice R. Bennink and Elizabeth A. Rondini, MS, RD of Michigan State University. Dr. Bennink is well known for his own research on the reduced incidence and multiplicity of colon cancer with a dry bean diet (Hangen + Bennink 2002. The paper actually came out in 2003). The Fifth paper was researched and written by Dr. George Hosfield, ARS and Michigan State University, Retired.
Eat Beans to Improve your health Part 1 of 5(Cancer)
Eat Beans to Improve your health Part 2 of 5(Obesity)
Eat Beans to Improve your health Part 3 of 5(Heart Disease)
Eat Beans to Improve your health Part 4 of 5(Diabetes Management)
Eat Beans to Improve your health Part 5 of 5(Antioxidant)