Published In:
Ann Arbor News, July 7, 1954
Caption:
A Pilot's View of Soil Conservation Practices in Washtenaw: The graceful curves in the air view of a 40-acre field, as shown above, are only incidental to the pictorial evidence of a farmer's determination to conquer soil erosion by good plowing practices. The site is on a farm owned by Mrs. M. Thomas Black of 1110 W. Ellsworth Rd. which is leased and operated on shares by William McCalla. The dark strips are planted to clover, the light strips recently plowed for wheat. The special contour plowing, done under the guidance of County Soil Agent Don Maurer, will stop erosion around high spots in the field at the front and back centers. Water had drained to the east and west sides of the slopes, carrying away rich top soil.

Published In:
Ann Arbor News, August 13, 1956
Caption:
Farm Belt: Wheat, oats, hay, straw, alfalfa fields sweep like cresting waves across the rolling landscape of Sharon township. Of the township's 24,192 acres, 3,000 are sown in wheat and oats (light patches), and 2,170 in corn (darker squares). The township's 123 farms are operated by life-time farmers, who are descendants of pioneers, and city-bred farmers, who are Johnny-come-latelies on the Sharon farm scene.

Published In:
Ann Arbor News, August 1, 1956
Caption:
Farm Land is County's Best: Pittsfield township, with about 4,500 acres of Class I farm land is considered to have more top farm land than any other of Washtenaw county's 20 townships. Class I farm land is defined as "suitable for cultivation with ordinary farming practices. It is practically level, easily drained, with little danger of erosion." Whereas Washtenaw county land is typically rolling and hilly, in the central part of Pittsfield township the land is generally flat and excellent for farming. Despite top farming land, the township has lost about half of its farmers in the past 10 years.