ST. LOUIS (AP) — The Missouri Department of Agriculture is trying to create a buzz about bees.

State Agriculture Director Jon Hagler planned a visit to St. Louis on Friday to launch a statewide initiative promoting the importance of bees in food production.

 

The “Great Missouri Buzz Off” encourages people to visit a website — http://www.AgriMissouri.com — to learn more about beekeeping raising bees.

Officials say Missouri is home to more than 400 species of bees, most of which pollinate native plants. They also produce roughly 2 million pounds of honey each year.