TO: reorganization@usda.gov  
RE: Disastrous fallout of dismantling the Bee Research Lab
I am one of thousands of beekeepers in my state who depends on the research performed at the Bee Research Lab in Beltsville, MD to keep my honey bees alive. The assets at the lab took decades to build. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. It cannot function at a high level if it is divided into pieces and shipped to disparate places. The close proximity of all the moving parts, all the brain trust, and the layout of the property is a critical feature.
Please do not dismantle the Bee Research Lab. We need it functioning at full speed to combat deadly issues facing honey bees, including invasive parasites, and new and mutating viruses.

LETTER FROM JAY EVANS AND JUDY CHEN:

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

(written by Nathalie Steinhauer)

SUBJECT: Urgent Action Needed: Support the USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory in Beltsville, MD

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 largest agricultural research campus in the world, located  in Beltsville, Maryland.  The recent announcement regarding the potential closure of BARC raises serious concerns about the far-reaching implications for pollinator health and the long-term sustainability of U.S. agriculture.

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. We encourage you to share your input by emailing your comments to reorganization@usda.gov

(written by Nathalie Steinhauer)

Hi Friends!

I’m writing to ask for your help with something that I believe matters deeply to the future of agriculture and pollinator health in the U.S.

The USDA has opened a 30-day public comment period to gather feedback on a proposed reorganization plan. This plan includes relocating thousands of USDA positions and could result in the closure of the Bee Research Laboratory (BRL) in Beltsville, Maryland.

This lab is one of the most important centers for honey bee health research in the world. It provides essential disease diagnostics for beekeepers across the country and leads national efforts to understand and reduce colony losses. With honey bees contributing over $20 billion to the U.S. economy each year through pollination, this work is critical.

Closing or relocating the lab would disrupt vital research and services. Beltsville offers unique advantages that cannot be replicated elsewhere. Its seasonal climate is essential for studying overwintering losses and disease dynamics. The lab is also located in a relatively secluded area, away from major commercial beekeeping centers, which helps prevent disease spillover during sensitive research.

In addition, Beltsville’s proximity to Washington, D.C. makes it a natural gathering point for beekeepers from across the country. Many visit the USDA lab while they are in town to meet with their representatives. This accessibility strengthens the connection between science, policy, and the beekeeping community.

It’s also important to recognize that the scientists and staff at the lab have built their lives in this region. Asking them to relocate would likely mean asking many of them to resign. That loss of expertise would be devastating.Here’s how you can help:

Send a comment to USDA by August 26, 2025
Email: reorganization@usda.gov

Share why the Bee Research Lab should remain in Beltsville
You can speak from the heart or refer to the attached support letter for key points.

Spread the word to others who care about bees, agriculture, and science. Every voice makes a difference.

Find the USDA’s official announcement here: https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2025/08/01/usda-opens-public-comment-period-department-reorganization-plan

For your reference, I’ve attached a support letter that outlines why keeping the lab in Beltsville is so important.

This is a critical moment. Let’s come together to protect this essential research and ensure that USDA continues to serve our agricultural communities effectively.
Thank you for taking the time to speak up.