INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — More than 1,000 beekeepers gathered at Decatur Central High School Saturday morning for a full day of educational programs, lectures, and plenty of honey.

It’s all part of the 18th annual Beekeeping School, hosted by The Beekeepers of Indiana. Their mission is to promote responsible small-scale beekeeping within urban and suburban communities.

“With the new law, several cities in Indiana are requiring beekeepers in their city to attend our Bee School,” said Debbie Seib, chairman of the Indiana Bee School.

Last year, Governor Holcomb signed a law that reduces the bans on who can raise honeybees.

“A third of the food we eat needs pollination and 80% of those pollinators are honeybees,” said American Honey Queen, Mary Reisinger, from Parker, Texas.

Reisinger’s travels throughout the country educating people and beekeepers about the role bees play in our country.

Indiana Honey Queen, Mikayla Ricketts from Rockville, was also on hand with her crown.

“Indiana bees are strong. They have to survive through the winter unlike bees in California, Texas or Florida,” said Ricketts.

Both queens agreed on one thing: food with honey just tastes better.

For honey recipes directly from the Queen bee herself, click here.