We are reaching out to request your support in safeguarding the future of the USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory (BRL), which is part of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC), one of the largest agricultural research campuses in the world, located in Beltsville, Maryland. Recently, however, the USDA announced the potential closure of BARC as part of a broader agency reorganization plan.
The BRL is an internationally recognized leader in honey bee health research and diagnostics. It plays a pivotal role in identifying and addressing the diseases and stressors that threaten U.S. bee populations, while leading national efforts to combat severe colony losses. These efforts are not only scientifically critical but also economically essential: honey bees contribute over $20 billion annually to the U.S. economy by pollinating nearly one-third of the food we eat—including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. This year, honey bee colony losses have reached the highest levels on record, with disease continuing to be a major factor. The closure or relocation of BRL would severely disrupt ongoing research and undermine its vital Bee Disease Diagnostic Service, which provides essential support to beekeepers across the nation.
Why Beltsville is uniquely essential to this work:
Critical Seasonal Research Conditions: Beltsville’s four distinct seasons—unlike the milder climates of other USDA-ARS bee research locations—provide critical conditions for studying overwintering losses, seasonal disease dynamics, and the broader impacts of climate on colony health. Overwinter mortality remains the primary driver of annual colony losses, and the Mid-Atlantic climate is broadly representative of the environmental conditions faced by most U.S. beekeepers.
Strategic Isolation and Biosecurity: Situated away from major commercial beekeeping centers, Beltsville offers a low-risk environment for disease spillover, enabling controlled study of high-risk pathogens. Relocating the lab to a high-density beekeeping state would jeopardize containment measures and increase the risk of introducing harmful agents into the nation’s bee populations.
Diverse Agricultural and Ecological Setting: Maryland’s rich biodiversity and varied crop systems allow for real-world testing of nutrition, pesticide exposure, and pollination services, with easy access to major pollination regions in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
A strong show of support from stakeholders like you can make a meaningful impact on the future of pollinator research and protection. We would greatly appreciate it if you could share your concerns and highlight the strategic importance of keeping the USDA Bee Research Laboratory in Beltsville. Its location, infrastructure, and Mid-Atlantic climate make it uniquely suited to address the most pressing challenges in honey bee health. Your voice is important in helping decision-makers understand the irreplaceable role this laboratory plays in ensuring national food security and pollinator sustainability.
As part of USDA’s broader reorganization plan, a public comment period is currently open (see message below).
We encourage you to share your input by emailing your comments to reorganization@usda.gov.Thank you.
Judy / Jay
Judy Chen judy.chen@usda.gov
Jay Evans jay.evans@usda.gov
How to Submit Comments:
All stakeholders, including USDA employees, members of Congress, and agricultural and nutrition partners, are encouraged to provide feedback by emailing reorganization@usda.gov. The comment period is open through August 26, 2025 
