The Department of Agriculture is creating a buzz as it launches a statewide initiative promoting the importance of bees. The “Great Missouri Buzz Off” encourages people to learn more about beekeeping and consider raising bees. Ag director John Hagler says our state is home to more than 400 species of bees, most of which pollinate native plants, assisting in food production, and producing about 2 million pounds of honey each year. He says many Missouri crops wouldn’t exist without bees.