100 crop species provide 90% of the world's food. 70 of those species depend on pollinators.
Pollinators play a crucial role in the reproduction of many plants, including many of the plants that provide our nation’s food, fiber, fuel and medicine. Animal pollinators, especially honey bees, are critical for producing of our food products. But despite their value, many pollinator species are in trouble. In an effort to fight population declines, NRCS is working with private landowners to establish habitat for pollinators through conservation.
Every June, NRCS joins organizations across the country to celebrate National Pollinator Week. National Pollinator Week was established in 2006, when the U.S. Senate voted unanimously to designate a week in June each year to celebrate pollinators and call for their conservation. The designation was a result of efforts by a diverse collaboration of non-government organizations, federal agencies and scientists to emphasize the importance and fragility of our pollinators. Since then, National Pollinator Week has grown to be an international celebration of the valuable ecosystem services provided by bees, birds, butterflies, bats, beetles and other pollinators. This growing concern for pollinators is a sign of progress.
The 2018 Farm Bill continues to elevate pollinators as a high priority resource concern for USDA conservation programs, and USDA is incorporating pollinators into conservation planning nationwide. NRCS supports pollinators by working with private landowners to establish habitat, which provides both food and sanctuary for bees and other pollinators.
Links to More Info
- BEE Friendly to Pollinators with Conservation Plants - NRCS Plant Materials Program
- Five tips for your daily land management activities to help combat pollinator decline - farmers.gov blog
- BEE in the Know - Assistance for Honey Producers Brochure and Video - farmers.gov
- The Pollination Services of Forests - UN Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO)
- New Bee Better Certification for Farmers and Ranchers Who Help Bees on America's Working Lands
- New Steps to Promote Pollinator Health - in 2015, a White House Interagency Task Force created a Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators
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Plant Habitat to Help Caribbean Pollinators
You can improve pollinator and wildlife habitat on your farm through the NRCS conservation practice Wildlife Habitat Planting. NRCS provides cost-share to farmers and landowners to plant flower or shrub seeds or seedlings to provide essential food, refuge and cover for pollinators and wildlife.