A Quiet Shake-Up with Loud Consequences
Last week, something big happened quietly. The USDA and U.S. Forest Service laid off nearly 9,000 employees. These weren’t middle managers or pencil-pushers. These were conservation planners, soil scientists, wildlife experts—people whose daily work protects our farms, forests, and food systems. It’s the kind of news that doesn’t trend on Twitter but matters more than most headlines.
When Experience Walks Out the Door
These folks weren’t just doing jobs—they were carrying decades of field-tested knowledge. They know how to manage erosion before it ruins farmland, how to restore habitats without disrupting nearby communities, and how to fight wildfires with boots, brains, and a bulldozer. Replacing that kind of know-how isn’t just tough—it’s nearly impossible overnight.
A Wake-Up Call for Government Consulting
For those of us in government consulting, this is a moment to pay close attention. Because when the government loses capacity like this, they don’t stop doing the work—they start outsourcing it. That’s where we come in. Whether your team specializes in environmental science, climate resilience, GIS, or IT support for federal programs, this shake-up signals a likely increase in contract opportunities.
Let’s Not Pretend We’re Magic, Though
Still, let’s not kid ourselves. Government consulting can help fill gaps, but we’re not miracle workers. We can’t download 25 years of forestry knowledge into a slide deck. What we can do is show up, stay ready, and deliver value with empathy and professionalism.
Where There’s Disruption, There’s Opportunity
This news is sobering, but it’s also motivating. In the middle of budget cuts and shifting priorities, there’s still critical work to be done. And if you’re in government consulting, you might just be part of the solution.
The forests are still growing. The soil still shifts. The mission still matters.
