The 14th annual National Pollinator Week is taking place from June 22-28, 2020. This is a chance to show appreciation and raise awareness for the pollinating species in the US. Without the presence of pollinators like bees, butterflies, birds, and even moths, farmlands would suffer from smaller yields and lower quality crops.
Inadequate pollination can affect the size and also the flavor of food crops.
And so, it’s important that we not only acknowledge pollinators, but that we actively work to protect them. All of them.
The Importance of Pollinator Diversity
America’s farms have historically depended on the honeybee to handle the bulk of pollination duties. Unfortunately, the honeybee has long been suffering from massive population declines due to colony collapse disorder. This is a phenomenon that can result in entire hives dying off.
If they continue to disappear at their current rate, honeybees could be extinct by 2035.
While the exact causes of colony collapse disorder are debated, it’s believed to stem from infections, parasites, beekeeping practices, pesticides, and more. There’s also the fact that the honeybee isn’t actually native to North America, which could be an underlying cause as well.
Ultimately, colony collapse disorder has exposed our overreliance on honeybees and our under appreciation of the many other pollinator species native to this country. The best way to address this problem is by promoting pollinator diversity. Many of our native pollinators have also suffered population declines, largely due to loss of habitat.
In the case of the monarch butterfly, a lack of milkweed has led to this insect bordering on endangered species status. By establishing pollinator habitat, farmers and landowners can actively show appreciation for pollinators by helping them thrive. In turn, they can reap the benefits of pollinator presence.
If you’re considering establishing pollinator habitat through the Conservation Reserve Program, All Native Seed can help.
At All Native Seed, we understand the value that pollinators add to our world. After all, they contribute $29 billion to the US farm economy every year. That’s why we make sure to offer the highest quality CRP pollinator seed mixes available. We have a range of NRCS approved pollinator mixes designed to meet state specific requirements. Additionally, we’re more than happy to provide a quote for pollinator mixes developed by NRCS.
Whichever option you choose, you can trust that the seed you purchase from ANS has the highest purity and germination rates available. All of our seed mixes come with the necessary tags for easy documentation as well.
This year, celebrate National Pollinator Week by purchasing and establishing high quality pollinator seed from All Native Seed.