Pollinator Week is June 16-22

BISMARCK - Gov. Kelly Armstrong has proclaimed June 16-22, 2025, as Pollinator Week in North Dakota. North Dakota is home to many pollinators, including more than 800,000 honey bee colonies.

"Pollinator species such as bees, birds and insects are essential partners of farmers and ranchers in producing much of our food supply. In fact, about 35% of the world's food crops depend on pollination," Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said. "Pollinators contribute nearly $20 billion to the value of U.S. crop production."

"Through best management practices outlined in the North Dakota Pollinator Plan, farmers, beekeepers, pesticide users and scientists work together to protect and maintain honey bee and other pollinator habitats in the state," Goehring continued. "The plan enhances communication and mitigates risk to honey bees, while minimizing the impact of that mitigation on production agriculture."

North Dakota is the No. 1 honey-producing state in the nation and has been since 2004. In 2024, North Dakota bees produced 36.2 million pounds of honey valued at over $67.4 million.