A significant chapter is closing. The 208-year-old Farmer’s Almanac published its last edition on Thursday, leaving many farmers, gardeners, and weather enthusiasts feeling nostalgic.
This annual publication, based in Maine, has been offering insights into weather patterns, gardening tips, and a plethora of other information since 1818.
The Farmers yearbook has announced that the 2026 edition will be its final release, distinct from the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Access to the online version will be discontinued by December.
What is the Farmer’s Yearbook?
Beyond just weather forecasts, the Farmer’s Almanac is a rich mix of gardening insights, recipes, home remedies, advice for households, astrology, and various other topics.
Having first printed in 1818, the publication has been a yearly tradition ever since. Its booklet typically contains “informative articles, a useful planning calendar, and insights into everything from prime gardening and fishing days to strategies for breaking bad habits and natural home remedies,” as described on its website.
Why is the Farmer’s Almanac being discontinued?
In a farewell note titled “A pleasant farewell,” Editor Sandy Duncan and emeritus editor Peter Gaige reflected, “Even though the yearbook is no longer available, its spirit continues in you.”
They added, “So, let’s plant the peas when the daffodils bloom. Notice the red sky at night. Share Grandpa’s old promises derived from his almanac with the kids. That’s how our legacy endures.”
While their piece didn’t detail the reasons behind the publication’s end, CBS News noted there were “financial challenges” amid a “turbulent media landscape.”
The 2026 edition remains available through FarmersAlmanac.com, Amazon, and in various retail outlets.
How accurate is the Farmer’s Almanac?
The publication claims an accuracy rate of 80 percent, though a study from the University of Illinois in 2010 suggested it was only 52 percent accurate.
What does the Farmer’s Almanac say about this winter?
The forecast for 2025-2026 predicts “dramatic shifts and widespread winter weather.” “Let’s get set for the ski slopes!”
The Almanac warns those in the Northwest to brace for a particularly harsh winter, with the coldest periods expected from the Northern Plains to New England. Idaho and Washington need to prepare carefully.
A significant cold wave is anticipated to hit around mid-February.
