HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Marshall University's campus is the place to “bee” this week for beekeepers from throughout the country participating in a regional conference.

Joining them is local resident Dan O’Hanlon, widely known as a Cabell County circuit judge. O’Hanlon, also a beekeeper and a local farmer, explained Friday that nearly 25 percent of food consumed by people comes from plants pollinated by bees.

Nationally, bees are on the decline, but their numbers are growing in West Virginia thanks to local beekeepers. O’Hanlon owns more than one million of the beneficial insects.

"We're working hard," he said.

Despite their painful reputation, bees will not sting unless they are provoked, according to beekeepers.