Trendpills
After a 208-year run, the Maine-based Farmers' Almanac has announced it will cease publication, with its 2026 edition being its last. The decision marks the end of an era for the iconic annual guide, which has provided long-range weather forecasts, astronomical data, and practical advice to generations of readers across North America.
The publisher, Geiger of Lewiston, Maine, attributed the closure to insurmountable financial pressures. Peter Geiger, the almanac's longtime editor, described it as a "difficult and sad decision," citing significant financial hurdles and a chaotic media environment as primary factors. The company stated that its online version will also be discontinued in December 2025, just ahead of the final print run.
First published in 1818, the Farmers' Almanac became a cultural staple, renowned for its secret formula used to predict weather patterns up to 16 months in advance. Its distinctive blend of astronomical charts, gardening tips, recipes, and homespun humor made it a fixture in households long before the digital age. While its weather predictions were sometimes a subject of debate, its enduring popularity confirmed its place in American and Canadian life.
Officials were quick to clarify that the closure of the Maine-based publication will not affect its similarly named competitor, the Old Farmer's Almanac. The Old Farmer's Almanac, founded in 1792 and published in Dublin, New Hampshire, is a separate entity and will continue its operations. For decades, the two publications have coexisted as familiar, and often confused, rivals on newsstands.
The announcement has been met with nostalgia from loyal readers who have relied on the almanac for everything from planning crops to picking wedding dates. As a historic publication that predates the invention of the telegraph, its departure signals a significant shift in the print media landscape and the challenges of sustaining traditional formats in an increasingly digital world. The final edition will serve as a farewell to its dedicated readership.
