One of North America's most enduring publications, the Farmers' Almanac, has announced it will cease operations after more than two centuries of providing weather predictions and practical wisdom to generations of readers.
The End of an Era
The Maine-based publication revealed on Thursday that its 2026 edition will be the final one, marking the conclusion of a 208-year tradition that began in 1818. The organization cited increasing financial pressures and the challenges of operating in today's chaotic media landscape as the primary reasons for this difficult decision.
Access to the digital version of the almanac will be terminated as early as next month, leaving the 2025 edition as one of the last opportunities for readers to consult the publication's famous long-range weather forecasts.
A Legacy of Secret Forecasting
What made the Farmers' Almanac particularly distinctive was its mysterious forecasting formula, which remained closely guarded throughout its history. The publication relied on sunspot activity, planetary positions, and lunar cycles to generate weather predictions that farmers, gardeners, and weather enthusiasts came to depend upon for planning their activities.
While often confused with its even older counterpart, the Old Farmer's Almanac based in New Hampshire, the Maine publication developed its own loyal following across North America. At its peak in 2017, the Farmers' Almanac reported an impressive circulation of 2.1 million copies throughout the continent.
More Than Just Weather
Beyond weather predictions, the almanac served as a comprehensive resource for practical living. Its pages contained gardening advice, natural remedies, trivia, and humor that appealed to both rural and urban readers. The publication featured home remedies such as using catnip for pain relief and elderberry syrup to boost immune function.
Editor Sandi Duncan expressed the emotional weight of this decision in an official statement, calling the almanac "a way of life" and noting how it connected generations through shared wisdom. The publication had recently adapted to changing readership demographics, featuring urban skyscrapers alongside traditional farmhouses on its covers to appeal to city dwellers interested in growing their own food.
The final edition of Farmers' Almanac will appear in 2026, closing a chapter in American publishing history that spanned from the early 19th century into the 21st century, outlasting countless other publications through wars, economic changes, and technological revolutions.
