It usually takes a while for specific changes by the federal government to work their way down to the local level. But after about 100 days of President Donald Trump’s second term, executive orders have begun to directly tighten the screws in Greene County.
In early April, Humanities Iowa received notice that Trump and Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has cut at least 600 National Endowment for the Humanities grants, including the one that helps fund the Iowa speakers’ statewide presentations.
The Greene County Historical Society still plans to host the… speaker. It negotiated a fee reduction with the speaker, who is dropping his charge to a minimal $100, and the organization will also pass the hat to collect additional funds. But Margaret Hamilton, longtime program director for the local historical society, says this year will be the last for the statewide speakers’ presentations here.
Former President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 included $2 billion for reforestation projects across the nation, and Iowa receives some of that funding. Trees Forever in Greene County was granted $30,000 over a two-year period to replace public trees lost to the ash borer infestation, and to add to the community’s tree canopy.
Trees Forever planned to plant about 100 trees this spring and another 100 this fall using the grant. But thanks to DOGE, the funds are up in the air. As a result, Trees Forever here will probably reduce its spring planting project to 65 trees, with no idea whether the fall planting project will proceed.
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