LANSING, Mich. — Michigan is one of six states that will receive federal assistance to increase habitat for honeybees.

The USDA recently announced it is allocating up to $4 million to improve resources for honeybees on private lands in Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. The targeted conservation effort by its Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) aims to improve the health of this critical pollinator in a region where more than two-thirds of the nation’s honeybee population spends the summer months, pollinating crops and building strength to survive winter.

"The future of our food supply depends on honeybees," said NRCS chief Jason Weller. "This effort partners with farmers, ranchers and forest landowners to ensure honeybees have safe and diverse food sources during a time when they need it most."

Honeybees pollinate an estimated $15 billion worth of crops annually, including more than 130 fruits and vegetables. Michigan produces more than 200 commodities, making it the second most diverse agriculture industry in the nation, just behind California.

Ranked No. 1 for the production of blueberries, tart cherries, pickling cucumbers, squash and a variety of other commodities, pollinators play a key role in Michigan’s agriculture production.

"Bees are important to our survival as humans," said Michigan Beekeepers Assoc. President Terry Toland. "Farmers will get one-third more crop if they put bees on them.

"Forage areas are in such decline, it is very difficult for people to keep bees because there isn’t enough food for them. Bees need food to forage on throughout the summer, to continuously feed them throughout the year."

During the last 50 years, the number of managed honeybees has declined due in large part to the loss of forage areas as agribusinesses have grown, Toland said. According to researchers, each winter since 2006, about 30 percent of beehives have collapsed to disease, parasites, poor nutrition, pesticide exposure and other issues.

From June-September, this six-state region is home to more than 70 percent of the commercially managed honeybees in the country. Thus, during these critical months, bee colonies need abundant and diverse food sources to store enough to eat for winter.

To address these needs, NRCS is targeting its efforts in these areas by working with landowners to make bee-friendly conservation improvements on their land, such as planting cover crops like buckwheat, mustard, clover and sunflowers, wildflowers or native grasses, and improving management of grazing lands to improve the supply of high-value food for honeybees.

In addition, cover crops increase soil nutrients, break pest cycles and increase organic matter in the soil.

During the first two years of this targeted campaign, NRCS and landowners have boosted available food for honeybees on approximately 35,000 acres in Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. This year’s efforts have been expanded to include Montana because of the state’s prominent role in honey production.

In addition to benefiting the bees, these conservation improvements strengthen agricultural operations, support other beneficial insects and wildlife and improve other natural resources.

The 2014 farm bill’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides funding for this work. People who have active bee colonies within a mile of their property may be eligible to apply for funding. NRCS accepts EQIP applications on a continuous basis. Landowners interested in participating should contact their local USDA service center for more information.