Copyright cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio — After more than two centuries publishing long-range forecasts and homespun advice, the Farmers’ Almanac is saying goodbye. The 2026 edition will be its last, ending a 208-year run that began in 1818. “It is with a heavy heart that we share the end of what has not only been an annual tradition in millions of homes and hearths for hundreds of years, but also a way of life,” Editor Sandi Duncan said in a statement announcing the decision. “Though the Almanac will no longer be available in print or online, its spirit will live on in the values it championed: simplicity, sustainability, and connection to nature.” Founded in New Jersey and later based in Lewiston, Maine, the Farmers’ Almanac became a staple in general stores and kitchens nationwide. Known for its blend of long-range weather forecasts, planting charts, folklore and practical tips for living off the land, the publication cultivated a devoted following that spanned generations. Its editors said the decision to close was driven by “the growing financial challenges of producing and distributing the Almanac in today’s chaotic media environment.” While often mistaken for The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the two are unrelated. The Old Farmer’s Almanac predates the Farmers’ Almanac by more than two decades and has always operated independently. Each have maintained their own style, format and forecast methods. The two publications come from an era where hundreds of almanacs served a nation of farmers over time. Most were regional publications that no longer exist. Both contain gardening tips, trivia, jokes and natural remedies, like catnip as a pain reliever or elderberry syrup as an immune booster. But their weather forecasts make the most headlines. Both almanacs use secret formulas based on sunspots, planetary positions and lunar cycles to generate those long-range forecasts. The final issue of the Farmers’ Almanac, covering the 2026 calendar year, is available in stores and online. Access to its digital archives will end in December 2025. The Old Farmer’s Almanac ‘isn’t going anywhere’ The closure does not affect The Old Farmer’s Almanac — a separate publication often confused with its similarly named counterpart. Published continuously since George Washington’s presidency, The Old Farmer’s Almanac said in a statement that it “isn’t going anywhere.” “As we have since 1792, we will continue to publish our annual edition while educating and entertaining readers online,” the publication’s editors wrote. The Old Farmer’s Almanac, recognized by its trademark yellow cover, said it plans to expand in 2026 with new gardening books, digital tools and calculators, and the same weather and folklore content that readers have relied on for more than two centuries. “In an ever-changing world, our mission endures: to offer practical, uplifting wisdom rooted in nature and time-tested experience,” the editors said. “Rest assured, as sure as the Sun will rise, The Old Farmer’s Almanac will be around for generations to come.”
