Americans stunned as mainstay forecaster Farmers’ Almanac folds after two centuries: ‘One of the saddest days in history’

It has long been relied on for its weather predictions

Farmers' Almanac editor Sandi Duncan and publisher Peter Geiger pose in a corn field with the 2012 edition of the almanac in Auburn, Maine (AP)

After more than two centuries, the Farmers' Almanac, a publication long relied upon by farmers and gardeners for its weather predictions, is set to cease publication.

The Maine-based institution announced on Thursday that its 2026 edition will be its last, citing mounting financial pressures and the challenges of operating within today's “chaotic media environment.”

Its online presence will also conclude in December.

First printed in 1818 – and distinct from New Hampshire's older Old Farmer’s Almanac – it has for centuries employed a "secret formula" involving sunspots, planetary positions, and lunar cycles to craft its renowned long-range weather forecasts.

Beyond its headline-grabbing meteorological predictions, the almanac also offered practical advice, from gardening tips and trivia to natural remedies such as catnip for pain relief or elderberry syrup for immunity.

Publishers are ending the Farmers’ Almanac because rising production and distribution costs make it unsustainable, the 200-year-old company said (Farmers’ Almanac)

“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,” editor Sandi Duncan said in a statement.

“Its spirit and true goal of spreading a way of thinking — one that values simplicity, seasonal wisdom, and the amazing gifts from nature will live on for eternity thanks to our fans and readers.”

The annual publication is usually released by late August or early September.

"We are incredibly proud of the legacy we leave behind and grateful to our loyal staff, readers, contributors, and partners who have supported us through the years,” Duncan said.

In 2017, when Farmers' Almanac reported a circulation of 2.1 million in North America, its editor said it was gaining new readers among people interested in where their food came from and who were growing fresh produce in home gardens.

Many of these readers live in cities, prompting the publication to feature skyscrapers as well as an old farmhouse on its cover.

Farmers' Almanac editor Sandi Duncan and publisher Peter Geiger pose with a copy of the much-loved periodical (AP2011)

Though an almanac may feel like a relic of the past, news of its end has struck a deep chord online.

“One of the saddest days in history. We are losing everything we grew up with,” one person declared on X.

“NO! Say it ain't so! 1 of my bday presents every year. When I need you the most, too. Can remember this being on my grandparents' kitchen table every year,” another person wrote.

A third person said that the news made them “profoundly sad.”

“I have very few fond memories of my dad, but having a Farmers’ Almanac on hand at all times was one of them. Thank you so much for over a century of service! This is something that is going to be sorely missed by a lot of people,” they wrote.

The final Farmers’ Almanac 2026 edition is now available, with its online content accessible until December 2025.

Offering one last piece of advice, the company said, “So go ahead—plant your peas when the daffodils bloom. Watch for a red sky at night. Tell the kids how granddad always swore by the Almanac. That’s how our story stays alive.”