A Vision for Long-Term Scientific Leadership in Beltsville
Across all USDA-ARS program areas, Beltsville’s research locations have a history of agricultural research leadership and excellence. With twenty-five ARS Hall of Fame Scientists, Beltsville has housed the research of over 20% of the ARS Hall of Fame. This legacy is evident in the eleven Distinguished Senior Research Scientists actively working in the area, comprising more than one-third of all ARS Supergrade-level scientists. Though the agricultural research landscape in the greater Washington D.C. area has evolved significantly over the years, Beltsville science continues to be at the cutting-edge of scientific achievement.
The future of cross-cutting agricultural research runs through Beltsville.
- Transformation requires convergence
In recent years, the National Science Foundation and the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine have published pieces on the value of convergence research, recognizing that today’s challenges require multi-disciplinary solutions. Research teams should be comprised of experts of many scientific backgrounds, but also be equipped with skilled communicators to aid in the implementation, adoption, and public acceptance of findings.
The 2020-2025 USDA Science Blueprint outlines current agency priorities, where cross-cutting collaborative science is emphasized. The blueprint encourages cooperation within the agency, but also across the federal government and with outside collaborators and stakeholders.
There has been a growing global call to transform agriculture. For the first time ever, the COP27 global climate conference featured a Food Systems Pavilion, and food and agriculture systems have been implicated in numerous United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Year after year, there is an increased emphasis on agriculture in responding to global challenges. Therefore, there is a national and global imperative to pursue cross-cutting, transformative research in food and agriculture.
- The Beltsville impact
The Beltsville Distinguished Senior Research Scientists Committee aims to integrate disciplines within the committee’s expertise to expand and expedite the impact of their already valuable research. The committee of eleven top ARS scientists reflects the long history of agricultural research excellence in the Beltsville area of USDA-ARS which includes over 20% of all ARS Hall of Fame scientists. The Beltsville area has a robust track record of cutting-edge innovation and fruitful collaborations within the agency and with other federal agencies, academic researchers, and industry stakeholders across the country. Propelled by its history of achievement, the Beltsville area is optimally situated for long-term agricultural research leadership.
Comprehensive scientific scope
All ARS national program areas (Nutrition, Food Safety/Quality; Animal Production and Protection; Crop Production and Protection; Natural Resources and Sustainable Agricultural Systems) are represented in the research housed in Beltsville. Agricultural challenges are increasingly interconnected. Maintaining active research across the breadth of ARS national program areas in close proximity to one another is a valuable asset. This allows the Beltsville location to adapt to rapidly changing agricultural challenges and provide comprehensive and cross-cutting solutions.
Proximity to key collaborators and stakeholders
Beltsville’s geographic location provides access to a number of resources across the federal government. Researchers from BARC and BHNRC have active collaborations with FDA, NASA, NIH, DOE, EPA and other agencies. Its proximity to Washington D.C. makes it an optimal destination for congressional visits and agricultural demonstrations. Beltsville can provide a window into the full scope of ARS research for policymakers, stakeholders, and diplomats, right in the nation’s capital. Strong ARS research capacity in the greater D.C. area brings food and agricultural issues to the forefront of federal policy and allows for improved coordination across agencies with related missions.
Far-reaching impacts of Beltsville research
Beltsville research has local and global impacts. Many laboratories in the Beltsville area have strong connections to nearby colleges and universities, including HBCUs and HSIs. In addition to forging research collaborations with scientists at these institutions, Beltsville advances STEM education by hosting numerous student interns throughout the year. In 2023, researchers at BARC, BHNRC, and USNA mentored over 240 trainees at the high school, undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral level, supporting the development of early career STEM professionals. Through coordination with academic institutions, the Beltsville location plays an important role in supporting the next generation agricultural science leaders.
The impacts of Beltsville research are felt far beyond the D.C. metropolitan area. Stakeholders all across the United States rely on Beltsville leadership to address major agricultural challenges. It is of interest to ARS stakeholders to have both scientific and political support in close proximity to one another. Whether stakeholders are almond growers in California or dairy farmers in Wisconsin, Beltsville science continues to have major impacts on these and many other industries.
III. The future of agricultural research
Challenges in food and agriculture are increasingly complex and interconnected, thus requiring innovative and cross-cutting solutions. Facilitating coordination across microbial, plant, animal, and human nutrition research is critical in building and agricultural research ecosystem that is agile in responding to urgent challenges. The Beltsville area is optimally situated to lead the way in agricultural research that cuts across scientific disciplines; harmonizes efforts from government agencies, academic institutions, industry stakeholders; and invests in the next generation of STEM leaders.
This work has already begun with the convening of the Beltsville Distinguished Senior Research Scientists Committee. These eleven highly accomplished scientists are dedicated to providing their expertise to solidify the future of agricultural research in Beltsville. Through extensive discussions, joint publications, webinars, and promotional efforts, the committee has explored past achievements and future potential of Beltsville’s research centers. It is clear that the area has a wealth of scientific expertise and leadership to meet the challenges of tomorrow.