Hello Nyla,

For Kent County (USDA Zone 6a) in Michigan, raspberries are one of the easiest and most productive small fruits you can grow. Michigan State University Extension recommends careful site selection because raspberry plantings can remain productive for 8-15 years.

1. Choose the Right Site
Full sun, at least 8 hours daily, for best fruit production.
Well-drained soil is critical. Avoid low areas where water stands after rain.
Aim for soil pH around 6.0-6.8.
Good air circulation helps reduce disease problems.

2. Select Raspberry Types
For West Michigan, good choices include:
Fall-bearing (primocane) varieties:
Heritage
Carolin
Polana
Joan J
Summer-bearing (floricane) varieties:
Latham
Nova
Prelude
Michigan State University has evaluated many of these cultivars for Michigan conditions.

3. Planting
Plant dormant canes in early spring (April-May) as soon as soil can be worked.
Space plants 2-3 feet apart
Space rows 8-10 feet apart.
Set roots at the same depth they grew in the nursery.

4. Watering
Supply about 1-1.5 inches of water per week during the growing season.
Keep soil consistently moist, especially during fruit development.
Drip irrigation is preferable to overhead watering.

5. Mulching
Since you generally prefer organic approaches:
Apply 2-4 inches of wood chips, shredded leaves, or straw around plants.
Mulch conserves moisture and suppresses weeds.
Keep mulch a few inches away from canes.

6. Fertilization
For home gardens:
Work compost into the planting area before planting.
In established plantings, apply compost annually in spring.
If growth is weak, a soil test through Michigan State University Extension is the best guide before adding fertilizer.

7. Pruning
This is the most important maintenance task.
Fall-bearing raspberries (easiest)
In late winter, mow or cut all canes to ground level.
You'll get one large crop in late summer and fall.
Summer-bearing raspberries:
Remove canes that fruited immediately after harvest.
Keep the new green canes for next year's crop.

8. Common Michigan Problems
Japanese beetles
Spotted wing drosophila (late-season fruit pest)
Cane blight
Phytophthora root rot in poorly drained soils
Good drainage and annual pruning greatly reduce disease pressure

9. Harvest
In Kent County:
Summer-bearing varieties typically ripen from late June through July.
Fall-bearing varieties usually produce from August until frost.

My recommendation for your location
For a homeowner in Kent County, I'd plant Joan J or Heritage and manage them as fall-bearing raspberries by mowing all canes down each spring. It's the simplest system, avoids much of the pruning confusion, and produces excellent crops with fewer disease issues. Michigan's climate is very well suited to these varieties.
For research-based guidance, Michigan State University Extension's small-fruit publications are among the best resources for Michigan growers.

Sources at the links below:

Michigan Fresh: Growing Small Fruits at Home - Michigan Fresh

New raspberry varieties for Michigan factsheet - Fruit & Nuts

Considerations for growing backyard small fruit - MSU Extension

e542print2.pdf

I hope this helps!