We like to have a lot of fun the farm.  During Wessels' events you can be sure there are activities for the whole family surrounding the featured activities of the event. Occasionally we hold an adults-only event during evening hours.  Event listings are updated here, on our FB page and often found in Nebraska Life & Nebraska Traveler magazines, York Chamber Chats, YCDC Community Calendar and local news sources.

You might be surprised just how much there is to do at Wessels during our family-friendly events.  Bring the family and tell your friends!  Proceeds from all events go towards maintaining our living history displays, educational program, animal care and facilities.

Create your own event!  Wessels Farm is a great place for family reunions, birthday parties, bridal showers, team get-aways and more. We do allow weddings on the farm but we do not close the farm for an event held during our regular open hours as we are a living history farm first, venue as a bonus!  Contact us to begin planning your event today! 

Crops Grown in 1920s Nebraska

We like to have a lot of fun the farm.  During Wessels' events you can be sure there are activities for the whole family surrounding the featured activities of the event. Occasionally we hold an adults-only event during evening hours.  Event listings are updated here, on our FB page and often found in Nebraska Life & Nebraska Traveler magazines, York Chamber Chats, YCDC Community Calendar and local news sources.

You might be surprised just how much there is to do at Wessels during our family-friendly events.  Bring the family and tell your friends!  Proceeds from all events go towards maintaining our living history displays, educational program, animal care and facilities.

Create your own event!  Wessels Farm is a great place for family reunions, birthday parties, bridal showers, team get-aways and more. We do allow weddings on the farm but we do not close the farm for an event held during our regular open hours as we are a living history farm first, venue as a bonus!  Contact us to begin planning your event today! 

Corn

cornNative Americans were the first to grow corn, also known as maize. When European settlers came to America, Native Americans taught them how to cultivate corn for themselves. Today corn is the biggest U.S. crop today and was the most widely planted crop in the 1920s. Corn grows on a mostly hollow stem to be an average of eight feet tall. Plants have long, narrow leaves. The “flower” (or tassel) is a spike with many pollen producing flowerlets. The ear has many kernels (seeds) attached to a hard cob wrapped in thin leaves (husks). Corn is planted in the spring and harvested in the fall. In the 1920s, corn was usually picked by hand and could be sold as a cash crop or used as animal feed.

 

Wheat

wheat Wheat has been cultivated since prehistoric times. Today, there are many varieties bred to grow in different climate conditions. Wheat grains are tightly enclosed in tiny scale-like leaves and form a head. Depending on the variety, wheat can be planted in the spring for summer harvest or in the fall for harvest in the spring or early summer. The latter is known as “winter wheat.” Most of the wheat planted in Nebraska are winter wheat varieties harvested in the spring or early summer.

 

 

Oats

oatsOats are used primarily to feed cattle and horses. Seeds are wrapped in an indigestible hull. Plants can also be cut for hay; the straw (stalk) is good for livestock bedding. Oats are sown in the spring and harvested in mid- to late-summer.

 

 

 

Barley

barleyBarley is one of the world’s most ancient cultivated plants and is drought resistant. Barley grain, hay, straw, and byproducts are used for animal feed. Barley is sown in the spring for summer harvest.

 

 

Millet

milletMillet is a very small seeded grain that contains more protein than rice and will grow in poor soil. Millet is sown in the spring and has a short growing season.

 

 

 

Milo/sorghum

sorghumMilo/sorghum bears seeds on large heads and is drought tolerant. It is used for animal feed and stalks were often used to make brooms.

 

 

 

Written by Claudia Reinhardt.

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