WEBSTER CITY — Maia Jaycox, a Webster City High School graduate, is the 2017 American Honey Queen.

Jaycox was crowned on Jan. 14 at the North American Beekeeping Conference in Galveston, Texas.

The competition is in association with the American Beekeeping Federation.

In her new role, Jaycox will educate the public on the importance of bees and promote the beekeeping industry.

“I just thought this would be a good learning experience and a good way to meet new people,” Jaycox said.

She developed an interest in beekeeping after her parents, Scott and Juli Jaycox, of Webster City, started keeping bees.

The 19-year-old was the 2016 Iowa Honey Queen.

“I’m passionate about beekeeping because many species of bees are an endangered species and people need to know more about them,” Jaycox said.

As the 2016 Iowa Honey Queen, Jaycox served as a spokesperson on behalf of the Iowa Honey Producers Association, an organization representing beekeepers and honey producers throughout the state.

During her year-long reign she promoted and spoke in venues statewide about the importance of honeybees and how honeybees are the connection between plants and our plates. She also shared information about the many uses for honey. She promoted the honey industry at county fairs, farmers markets, festivals, radio interviews, the Iowa State Fair and schools.

According to the American Beekeeping Federation, honeybees are responsible for nearly one-third of an average American’s diet by pollinating a majority of fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes. This amounts to nearly $15 billion per year of direct value from honeybee pollination to United States agriculture.

Jaycox attends Iowa State University in Ames.