MARTIN COUNTY, Ky. — President Donald Trump’s Administration has paused federal funding while agencies are under review. Nonprofits that rely on federal funding have been affected, including the Livelihoods Knowledge Exchange Network (LiKEN). This is an organization that works on several initiatives in the Appalachian region.
Flooding has once again devastated eastern Kentucky. Some of the work LiKEN does includes flood mitigation and riverbank erosion.
“We do a lot of deep listening and connecting with the communities that we work and serve in,” said Madison Mooney, a community care coordinator for the nonprofit. “One of our big focuses is just really hearing from the people’s voices when it comes to their dreams and aspirations of what they want to bring to their communities and counties.”
LiKEN provides farming opportunities to people living in Appalachia and restores forests and rivers.
“Basically, our main focus was locating landowners who were interested in agroforestry work and connecting them with the resources that are available to residents in their counties,” community engagement coordinator, Danielle Kirk said.
Kirk, and four other LiKEN staff, have been furloughed because of the federal funding freeze.
“I’m worried that a lot of those people that we work to gain connections with are going to be a little off-put by things that are out of our control, you know, and be hesitant to work with us again because of the freeze,” Kirk said.
The nonprofit had been awarded a grant by the U.S. Forest Service that was being funded through the Inflation Reduction Act.
“We had roughly over 20 counties that we were trying to expand and grow our work in this region, and due to our funds being paused and frozen, we’re not going to be able to continue that growth and expansion that we were trying to bring to the people here in Appalachia,” Mooney said.
Mooney and Kirk said they haven’t received answers from the U.S. Forest Service.
“The Trump Administration rightfully asked for a comprehensive review of all contracts, work and personnel across all federal agencies,” said a USDA spokesperson. “The Forest Service is following direction provided by USDA with regards to the president’s executive orders to ensure full compliance. Protecting the people and communities we serve, as well as the infrastructure, businesses and resources they depend on to grow and thrive, remains a top priority for the USDA and the Forest Service.”
While Kirk is concerned about the community, she is also feeling the impact of being furloughed.
“This was a huge opportunity for me on a professional level that now I don’t know what the future holds as far as my personal income and those connections with the community. I’m kind of in limbo out here, not really sure what is going to happen,” Kirk said.
Kirk and Mooney said LiKEN is owed $250,000 from work done between mid-November to the end of January.
