(AP) -- ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The Missouri Department of Agriculture is trying to create a buzz about bees.
State ag director Jon Hagler was in 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 to learn more about beekeeping and consider 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. State agricultural leaders say many Missouri crops wouldn't exist without bees.
Hagler spoke Friday at the Missouri Botanical Garden, joined by officials from the Garden, the St. Louis Zoo and the Missouri State Beekeepers Association.
http://www.AgriMissouri.com
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