Strong Opposition to Closing BARC

September 17, 2025

By admin | 17 Sep, 25 |

To Whom it May Concern,

We are writing in strong opposition to the closing of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC).

This facility provides an unique combination of geographical isolation ideal for research on pesticides and diseases, collaborative research teams and climate which would be virtually impossible to replicate elsewhere.

As beekeepers, we are dependent on the research being done in the Beltsville bee lab in order to successfully manage our honey bee colonies. At a time when colony losses exceed 60% annually, research is critical to stem further losses and provide adequate pollination for our nations food supply.

We are giving our full and enthusiastic support for the continued operation of BARC that serves our nation’s scientific and agricultural interests.

Sincerely,

High Land Beekeeping Club

Highlands Ranch, Colorado

In support of BARC

By admin | 17 Sep, 25 |

To Whom It May Concern,

On behalf of the Mile Hive Bee Club, representing urban and suburban beekeepers across Denver, Colorado, we are writing to express our strongest opposition to the proposed closure of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC).

As urban beekeepers, we depend on the research from the Beltsville Bee Lab to manage our colonies successfully against unique local pressures. At a time when colony losses are a critical concern, BARC’s work is essential for the sustainability of beekeeping and the pollination required for our nation’s food supply.

Closing this facility would dismantle a vital team of experts and leave a devastating gap in the science that beekeepers across the country rely on. BARC’s current, unique setup ensures vital overlapping expertise, stability, and intact working groups. We give our full support for the continued operation of BARC and urge you to maintain this irreplaceable resource for our nation’s agricultural and scientific interests.

Sincerely,

The Mile Hive Bee Club Denver, Colorado

Beekeepers in Support of Beltsville Agricultural Research Center’s Continue Function

By admin | 17 Sep, 25 |

To whom it may concern,

The Colorado State Beekeepers Association represents over 3,000 beekeepers and we are in strong opposition to the closing of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC). BARC has served a wide variety of Americans with research and testing services that are directly applicable to our success in Agriculture. Fragmenting the lab and research teams that deliver essential services that advise us as we work to try to keep the beekeeping industry functional and regain a sense of sustainability would be incredibly detrimental – especially in the face of unprecedented issues in the last year and uncertainty as another winter looms.

We urge you to maintain the function and services of BARC – we have particular interest in the apicultural research and services, but BARC offers a unique location for our USDA experts and other employees to complete their work and perform controlled experiments with limited confounding variables. All of this is a function of the complete research center and all of the work done there, as well as the property’s unique usage as BARC.

Sincerely,

The Board of the Colorado State Beekeepers’ Association

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