To Whom It May Concern,
On behalf of the Jefferson County Beekeeper Association, representing beekeepers across Jefferson County Colorado, we are writing in strong opposition to the closure of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) in Beltsville, MD.
Amid the multitude of challenges we as beekeepers face including, but not limited to, varroa mites and the diseases these parasites vector and spread to honey bees, nutritional challenges, and pesticide exposure, BARC research is working tirelessly to address these issues, and it is committed to working on science based solutions to combat colony losses. Beekeepers from the commercial level to the hobbyist rely on BARC's research to guide management practices and keep our honey bee colonies healthy and thriving. Due to BARC's location in Maryland where there are four distinct seasons, BARC can conduct research in all climates, and this is essential for beekeepers in colder climates like Colorado that experience higher colony losses over the winter months. We as beekeepers and our honey bees face so many challenges and closing or relocating the BARC would only exacerbate the problems. We support fully the continued operation of BARC and respectfully request that the Center continue its research in Maryland. Thank you for taking the time to consider our concerns.
Sincerely,
Jefferson County Beekeeper Association
Jefferson County Colorado

September 12, 2025

The Honorable Brooke L. Rollins
Secretary of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20250

Re: Comments on the Proposed Relocation of the U. S. National Fungus and Nematode Collections

Dear Secretary Rollins,

The Natural Science Collections Alliance is a non-profit association that supports natural science collections, their human resources, the institutions that house them, and their research activities for the benefit of science and society. Our membership consists of institutions that are part of an international network of museums, botanical gardens, herbaria, universities, and other institutions that contain natural science collections and use them in research, exhibitions, academic and informal science education, and outreach activities. We write to express concern about the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) reorganization plan, outlined in the 24 July 2025 Secretary Memorandum (SM 1078-015), which calls for closing the Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center—home to the U. S. National Fungus Collection and the USDA Nematode Collection.  

The U.S. National Fungus Collection, which is part of the Mycology and Nematology Genetic Diversity and Biology Laboratory, holds nearly one million specimens of fungi, making this  among the two largest such repositories in the world.  Founded in 1869, this collection holds preserved specimens of more than 65,000 species.  For nearly 150 years, American and foreign scientists have used this collection as a reference for the identification of fungi that are eaten by humans and animals, that cause disease in crops, and that play a key role in nutrient recycling in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.  This collection holds more that 25,000 specimens that are the basis of the names of fungi, many of which are of importance to the U. S. economy. Scientists consult this collection in order to determine the correct name to use for fungi that are encountered in nature and in agricultural and industrial settings.  Accurate and consistent scientific nomenclature ensures effective communication among scientists throughout the globe and assure the validity, reliability, repeatability, and value of research results.  Consultation of this collection may take the form of a visit to the facility, or the loan of specimens made to the researcher’s own laboratory.  Preserved specimens not only maintain critical structural features of fungi but also can be used for DNA extraction. Comparison of gene sequences derived from DNA not only help confirm the identity of fungi but also provide insight into their evolution, including how species become pathogenic.

The USDA Nematode Collection is one of the world’s most significant scientific resources for understanding nematodes, tiny organisms that affect plants, livestock, and ecosystems. Housing more than 49,200 permanent slides and vials, with a total repository of nematode specimens reaching several million, the collection functions as a permanent repository for type specimens and serves as a vital reference for scientists in the U.S. and abroad. Beyond preserving physical specimens, the collection archives critical information on host associations, geographic distributions, disease impacts, and genomic sequences, making it a cornerstone of agricultural and environmental research. Equally essential are the curators who maintain the collection. These experts not only safeguard the specimens but also serve as living libraries of knowledge, with deep familiarity in nematode taxonomy, pathology, and ecology. Their expertise helps farmers, researchers, and policymakers respond effectively to the billions of dollars in crop and livestock losses caused annually by parasitic nematodes. In today’s era of genomic and environmental DNA research, having accessible, verified voucher specimens is critical for validating genetic results.

These collections make the United States a world leader in scientific research that safeguards the future of American and global agriculture. It is critical for research and education on fungi and nematodes as well as for diagnosing related diseases that this facility remains the critical source of information that it has been throughout most of the history of the United States.  The new location for the National Fungus and Nematode Collections must have climatic conditions that meet established standards for long-term preservation of specimens.  Such conditions include appropriate temperature, humidity and lighting, as well as  sufficient space to avoid overcrowding.  Preserved specimens require continual monitoring for insect pests that can destroy collections.  Sufficient staffing levels must be maintained to conduct this monitoring, and to fulfill requests for specimens and data from researchers.  It is also critical that the new facility for the National Fungus Collection be accessible to visiting scientists and students, with space for the examination of specimens.

USDA has a duty to farmers, livestock-raisers, and the American public to oversee all aspects of the national food supply and the factors that affect it. This responsibility includes supporting these vital collections and the research expertise required to maintain and expand them. We are confident that the excellent current staff of the U.S. National Fungus and Nematode Collections can advise you on the needs of the collections moving forward. At the same time, the Natural Science Collection Alliance stands ready to provide any additional expertise you may require as you develop plans for their relocation and long-term care.

Sincerely,

Gil Nelson, Ph.D.
President
Natural Science Collections Alliance

We have then beekeepers for several decades in northeastern Colorado and are part of a multi-generational honey bee business and honey operation. Historically mother nature has always taken care of the bees and performing beekeeping duties has been right along the lines of any other agricultural duty. 

In the past 5 years, we have experienced such a drastic unexplained decline in our number of hives it has almost completely wiped us out of business. 

It has to be more than a pesticide issue with local farms because pesticide application is nothing new. 

It is obvious that scientific research needs to be done in a quick hurry as this decline is a nationwide problem.

It only makes sense that if this keeps happening for another 5 years there could possibly be an endangerment of extenction of the honey bee. Thus the importance of keeping the USDA research center open is essential in preventing this from happening.

Try to see the sunrise!

Jessica Filla 970-554-0641

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

The amount of information that has come out of BARC that has helped support the US bee population is irreplaceable! BARC's continued research is vital to US pollinators long term health and growth. NO POLLINATORS-NO FOOD! It's as simple as that!!

I've been a hobby and sideliner beekeeper since 1962. I appreciate the services and research that the Beltsville Bee Lab has provided over the years.

However, I am alarmed by the growth in size, power, cost, scope, waste, and centralization of the federal government over the past 100+ years. Most of this government growth has no legitimacy according to the US Constitution. All agencies, policies, regulations, laws, and functions not clearly required and/or authorized by the clear original understanding and intent of the Constitution must be phased out and returned to the People and the states as demanded by Amendment X.

Of all the unconstitutional things that the central government does, agriculture is, perhaps, one of the most important to keep. If kept, it must be more decentralized -- moved away from the fetid cesspool known as Washington DC.

That said, I am willing to give up my favorite federal program (agriculture) if it helps push the central government back into its constitutionally-defined limits.

"Would you be willing to give up your favorite government program if it meant never having to pay the income tax again." -- Harry Browne

I support prompt closing of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and decentralization of all its functions.