217 Today: In rural communities, LGBTQ farmers are becoming more visible
Shae Pesek (left) and Anna Hankins (right) own and operate Over the Moon Farm and Flowers in Coggon, Iowa. "We've had a lot of support, honestly, especially from our very local community. There's a lot of people that will tell us like, 'Oh, I showed my queer relative your page, and they were really excited to know that you existed,'" Pesek said. Catherine Wheeler/Iowa Public Radio
Thursday, July 14, 2022
Today's headlines:
- Illinois college students and people who work in higher education in the state will no longer face COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
- Last week, Judge Lisa Holder White was sworn in as the first Black woman justice on the Illinois Supreme Court. She said her time as both a prosecutor and public defender has informed her philosophy.
- Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is taking his political show on the road once again.
- Federal money will be used to help improve access to food for people in Illinois. The Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University will receive $200,000 to address rural and urban "food deserts" across the state.
In today's deep dive, we'll hear about how LGBTQ farmers and the difference they’re making in rural communities.
217 Today is produced by Sydney Wood. Reporting today contributed by Alex Degman, Harrison Malkin, Dave McKinney, Herb Trix and Catherine Wheeler.