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! 

New Financial Laws

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! 

New Financial Laws

One of FDR’s major accomplishments during his first 100 days in office was a program that revolutionized the financial industry. For the first time, the business of buying and selling shares in companies was regulated, and the bank accounts of ordinary people were insured. The SEC and FDIC were established by the New Deal. These two agencies – the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – had a significant, indirect effect on the nation’s farmers.

SEC 1934

FarrBirdie Farr’s father-in-law, Jack, lost money when the bank in Grand Island collapsed. This was before the FDIC was enacted.
In his early career, FDR had worked for a Wall Street law firm. Perhaps because of what he saw there, his inaugural address in 1933 was filled with disdain for Wall Street.

“[The] rulers of the exchange of mankind’s goods have failed through their own stubbornness and their own incompetence, have admitted their failure, and have abdicated. Practices of the unscrupulous money changers stand indicted in the court of public opinion, rejected by the heart and minds of men… there must be strict supervision of all banking and credits: and investments, so that there will be an end to speculation with other people’s money.”

Congress hurriedly created the first Securities and Exchange Commission, and FDR named Wall Street regular Joseph P. Kennedy – the father of later President John F. Kennedy – to be the Commission’s first chairman. Banks could no longer buy stocks with depositors’ money. Companies that wanted to sell shares to the public to raise money had to disclose a host of financial information to potential investors. For the first time, investors could find out if a company was worth the stock price it was asking. The SEC also regulated the major stock exchanges, the brokers and dealers, mutual funds and investment advisors.

These new regulations helped farmers indirectly because, gradually, investors found new confidence, companies were able to expand again, and consumers were able to buy more food and other agricultural products.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) also helped rural residents because for the first time they knew that their money in the bank was insured. If the bank went out of business, the FDIC would reimburse depositors up to certain limits.

The FDIC operates by imposing a small tax on the amount of money that a bank has in deposits. If a bank goes under, the FDIC will first try to sell the assets that were used to secure the loans and will then dip into the insurance fund to pay back depositors. The FDIC also regulates banking practices.

Ads for banks in the Great Plains prominently display the “Insured by the FDIC” logo – more so than in other regions of the country. The FDIC has become an important part of the confidence that people feel in the banking system.

Written by Bill Ganzel of the Ganzel Group. First written and published in 2003.

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