The Farmers’ Almanac, a Maine-based fixture for farmers and gardeners, is shutting down after more than 200 years.
In 2017, it had 2.1 million readers, including many urban gardeners. Recently, sales dropped to just 510,000 copies.
All print and digital content will end by December 2025, marking the complete closure of this historic publication.
Financial Collapse
The Almanac’s publishers cited financial problems and tough competition from digital media for its closure. Editor Sandi Duncan said declining sales made continuing impossible.
This mirrors wider struggles in the print media industry, as the U.S. printing industry has shrunk and print revenue in publishing has dropped sharply over the last few years.
Revolutionary Origins
David Young, a New Jersey poet and astronomer, launched the Farmers’ Almanac in 1818 with Jacob Mann.
Their first 36-page issue included moon cycles and farming advice.
Young ran it for 34 years, becoming a household name.
The Almanac was part of a wave of regional publications valued by early U.S. families.
Survival Through Crisis
The Almanac survived wars and global upheavals. Editor Ray Geiger, starting in 1933, kept it running through World War II.
The Geiger family took over in 1949 and moved the office to Maine in 1955.
Under Ray, circulation hit over six million, making him one of America’s most interviewed men.
Final Chapter
On November 7, 2025, it was announced that the 2026 edition is the Farmers’ Almanac’s last.
Editor Sandi Duncan shared that the closure marks the end of an annual tradition in millions of homes.
The print and online presence will end in December 2025.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac, a separate publication, will continue.
Confusion Spreads
Many confused the closing with the older Old Farmer’s Almanac, which was founded in 1792 and is still published today.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac took to social media to reassure readers it isn’t ending.
Both Almanacs trace their roots to medieval European almanacs, the first of which was printed in Mainz, Germany, in 1457.
Heartbroken Readers
Readers expressed sadness online, sharing memories of consulting worn copies hanging in kitchens and barns.
The Almanac started adding holes to its books in 1919 for easy hanging—a tradition that cost thousands but was kept due to reader demand.
For generations, the Almanac offered practical tips and a sense of nostalgia.
Digital Dominance
Smartphone weather apps like AccuWeather eclipsed the Almanac’s long-term forecasts, providing instant, location-based predictions.
Technologies like radar and AI-generated weather models update in real time, offering users more accurate and timely information.
Apps now reach billions, making the Almanac’s advanced forecasts seem outdated.
Accuracy Questioned
Scientists found the Almanac’s weather predictions only about as accurate as chance, despite its claims of 80–85% success.
Its predictions used a secret formula based on sunspots and planetary cycles, never modernized with computers or satellites.
Meteorologists say accurate weather forecasts rarely go beyond two weeks, due to unpredictable climate changes.
Print Industry Apocalypse
The Almanac’s demise reflects the global crisis of print media.
The closures of newspapers resulted in significant job losses and declining revenue. In the U.S., print companies have shrunk by 15% since 2022, and print now accounts for less than half of publishing revenue.
Rising costs and digital competition have made the old business model unsustainable.
Family Business Struggles
The Almanac was owned by five generations of the Geiger family, famous for their promotional products company.
While the parent company expanded worldwide, the Almanac division struggled to survive in changing times.
Even large family firms struggle if they don’t adapt, especially when strong sentimental ties hinder their embrace of new technologies.
Editorial Leadership
Sandi Duncan, the Almanac’s first female editor, began in 1991 and became the full Editor in 2023. She launched the website in 1997 and built the brand’s social media presence.
Despite her efforts, Duncan admitted that dropping subscription and newsstand sales made continuing impossible.
She reflected that “it’s kind of tough out there” in today’s media.
Failed Adaptation
Digital reforms weren’t enough. Although the Almanac built a website and offered subscriptions, it was unable to generate enough revenue online. A public TV show wasn’t successful.
The Almanac attempted to court city dwellers, but rivals like the Old Farmer’s Almanac adapted more effectively by partnering with weather technology companies and utilizing new forecasting methods.
Final Predictions
The 2026 edition provides its final weather forecast, predicting a “wild ride” winter with significant temperature swings.
It includes tips on gardening, birdwatching, and home remedies, such as elderberry syrup and catnip. Limited copies are still for sale online.
Sandi Duncan’s farewell urged readers to keep the Almanac’s spirit alive in their daily lives.
Generational Reckoning
The end of the Farmers’ Almanac asks whether traditional wisdom can survive in today’s digital world.
It lasted through wars and the Great Depression, but not the age of smartphones.
As climate patterns change and AI improves weather prediction accuracy, it’s unclear whether traditional practices still have a place alongside modern technology.