The Farmers' Almanac, first printed in Maine in 1818, has announced its 2026 edition will be its final print run, citing financial pressures and distribution challenges. The publication's online access will end next month. Renowned for long-range forecasts produced by a proprietary method involving sunspots and lunar cycles, the almanac also offered gardening tips, trivia and folk remedies. The announcement ends a 208-year run that attracted both rural and urban readers.
End of an Era: Farmers' Almanac to Publish Final Edition After 208 Years
The Farmers' Almanac, first printed in Maine in 1818, has announced its 2026 edition will be its final print run, citing financial pressures and distribution challenges. The publication's online access will end next month. Renowned for long-range forecasts produced by a proprietary method involving sunspots and lunar cycles, the almanac also offered gardening tips, trivia and folk remedies. The announcement ends a 208-year run that attracted both rural and urban readers.
20:53, 07.11.2025Culture
Farmers' Almanac to cease print after 208 years
The Farmers' Almanac, a Maine-based reference first printed in 1818, announced that its 2026 edition will be its last. The publication cited rising production and distribution costs and the challenges of operating in what it described as a "chaotic media environment." The almanac also said access to its online edition will end next month.
Not to be confused with the older Old Farmer's Almanac of New Hampshire, the Farmers' Almanac built a loyal readership with a blend of long-range weather forecasts, gardening advice, trivia, jokes and traditional home remedies. Its seasonal forecasts — produced by a proprietary method that factors sunspots, planetary positions and lunar cycles — have drawn the most attention for generations.
"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, an inspiration for many who realize the wisdom of generations past is the key to the generations of the future," said Editor Sandi Duncan in a statement.
At its peak reporting in 2017, the Farmers' Almanac said it had a North American circulation of about 2.1 million. Editors noted the title had been gaining new readers interested in local food and home gardening, including many city dwellers — a shift reflected in covers that began to feature urban skylines alongside the familiar farmhouse imagery.
Beyond forecasts, the almanac is known for accessible gardening tips and folk remedies (historically recommending remedies such as catnip for minor pain and elderberry syrup for immune support). While such remedies reflect traditional knowledge rather than modern medical guidance, they have been part of the almanac's cultural appeal.
The decision to end publication closes a 208-year chapter in American print media and folk weather forecasting. The final 2026 print edition will mark the end of the Farmers' Almanac's long-running print legacy.