BIRDS, BEES, AND BUTTERFLIES

Why Pollinators Matter for Agriculture

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Pollinators, including bees, birds, and butterflies, play a critical role in agriculture and food creation. By moving pollen from one flower to another, pollinators fertilize plants and allow them to reproduce and grow. More than 100 crops grown in the U.S., including fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts, require pollination – and about one out of every three bites of food we eat depends on pollinators. Pollinators are responsible for many of our most-loved foods – including coffee, chocolate, and strawberries.

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Attracting Pollinators
 

Many farmers maintain habitats on their farms to attract and support pollinator populations. One common plant used in these habitats is milkweed, which grows wild across much of the U.S. Milkweed can be found everywhere from backyard gardens and open fields to alongside major highways and beside fences. During its flowering season, it grows beautiful red, white, pink, orange, blue, and purple flowers in almost perfect spheres. Milkweed is an important plant for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. It is also the only plant that Monarch Butterflies use for a food source and breeding habitat.​