04/24/2026
USDA Advances Reorganization and Restructuring of the Research, Education, and Economics Mission Area to Improve Efficiency and Better Serve American Farmers
In a formal announcement today from Secretary Brooke L. Rollins it was announced that the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, BARC would be closing. BARC includes the Beltsville Bee Lab. The Beltsville Bee Lab has been the cornerstone of Honey Bee research and development of successful Honey Bee health and management for decades. It is being dissolved now. Another sign of the loss of awareness and value of Beekeepers.
-Jerry Hayes
"The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) will begin decommissioning the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) and relocating research programs to facilities across the country better aligned with regional agricultural needs. BARC currently includes more than 400 buildings, many of which are outdated or underutilized, and requires significant deferred maintenance and ongoing investment. Transitioning these programs will allow USDA to modernize its research footprint, improve safety, and better connect researchers with the producers they serve. ARS has evaluated its nationwide footprint to identify locations best suited to absorb ongoing research, ensuring continuity while increasing opportunities for collaboration with farmers and industry partners."
For more information: https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2026/04/23/usda-advances-reorganization-and-restructuring-research-education-and-economics-mission-area-improve
