USDA

Did you know that honey bee pollination adds over $15 billion in value to agricultural crops each year?  Pollinators are crucial to the U.S economy, food security, and environmental health.  They help to ensure that our diets include ample vegetables, fruits, and nuts.  Pollinators include honey bees, native bees, birds, bats, and other insects. In 2014 beekeepers reported losing nearly 40% of their honey bee colonies.   As the honey bee population continues to decline we are at risk of losing valuable agricultural services provided by these creatures.  The Monarch butterfly population is also in jeopardy.  Over the last 20 years...