Agricultural Research Service cuts 17 Beltsville research projects after funding reduction
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · May 4
Agricultural Research Service cuts 17 Beltsville research projects after funding reduction
11 articles · Updated · POLITICO · May 4
At Maryland’s Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, nine projects lose funding and eight are reduced after Congress cut FY26 ARS research funding by more than $32m.
USDA said reduced projects in crop protection, livestock protection and food safety will be reassigned to other ARS sites, while affected employees will receive reassignment letters to agency vacancies.
The cuts follow USDA’s broader plan to move research and economics staff to regional hubs and decommission much of the Beltsville complex, though House appropriators advanced language to restrict such closures.
With key agricultural research hubs closing, what becomes of America's food security and innovation?
How will the massive relocation of USDA staff affect food aid delivery for millions of Americans?
As states are forced to cover more SNAP costs, which local services could be on the chopping block?