Farmers’ Almanac, a Maine publication that has guided gardeners and weather watchers since 1818, will cease operations with its 2026 edition, citing mounting financial pressures in a shifting media landscape.
The announcement on Thursday sparked an emotional response from readers and prompted the rival Old Farmer’s Almanac in New Hampshire to quickly clarify that it remains in business.
“First we want to tell everyone that this decision was very hard to make,” the publication’s current editor, Sandi Duncan, told TODAY.com. “The Almanac has been published each and every year since 1818 — even when the editor (Ray Geiger) was overseas serving in World War II. And we also recognize that it’s more than just a book — it’s a way of life — a tradition — a resource for so many people for so many years.”
Ray Geiger, the almanac’s 6th editor, oversaw 60 consecutive editions of the almanac, from 1935 to 1994, and helped grow its circulation from 85,000 copies to more than 6.5 million. His son, Peter Geiger, then took on the mantle of editor beginning with the 1995 edition.
Duncan, who has been working with the Farmers’ Almanac since 1994, said declining newsstand sales and changes in how people seek information forced the closure. The 2026 printed edition of the almanac is currently available for purchase online and in stores everywhere. Digital content on the website will vanish in December.
“It is with a heavy heart,” Duncan added in a separate statement, “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.”
Founded in New Jersey and relocated to Lewiston in 1955, the Farmers’ Almanac offered long-range weather forecasts derived from sunspots, planetary positions, and lunar cycles, alongside gardening tips, “Best Days” calendars, and folk remedies.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac, launched in 1792 and widely regarded as North America’s oldest continuously published periodical, posted online Thursday: “The OLD Farmer’s Almanac isn’t going anywhere. As we have since 1792, during George Washington’s presidency, we will continue to publish our annual edition, while educating and entertaining readers online at Almanac.com.”
Readers flooded social media with memories of planting by moon phases or checking the book for the best fishing days.
In a farewell letter, Duncan and editor emeritus Peter Geiger wrote: “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.”