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Farmers Almanac to Publish Final Issue, Ending 208-Year Legacy

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Friday, November 7th 2025 at 11:07 GMT by gizmodo.com
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A Brief History of a National Fixture

The Almanac was founded in 1818 by John Davis, a farmer and publisher from Massachusetts, who began printing a simple weather chart that later evolved into a comprehensive guide. By the mid‑1800s, the Almanac had become the most widely distributed periodical in the United States, with editions sold in virtually every grocery store and farm supply shop. Its forecasts were often cited by scientists, government agencies and even the U.S. Navy for navigation and weather planning.

In the 20th century, the publication expanded beyond weather to include crop calendars, gardening tips, household recipes, horoscopes, and folklore. The brand’s distinct hand‑written charts, the “Almanac Forecast,” and the yearly “Almanac for 20XX” series turned it into a cultural touchstone for rural America and, over time, a staple of American households.

The Decision to End the Print Edition

The Gizmodo article explains that the decision was driven by a combination of shifting consumer habits, declining print sales, and the rise of digital forecasting tools. The editorial team cited the steady erosion of newspaper and magazine readership over the last decade and the increasing dominance of online weather services that offer instant, highly accurate data. While the Farmers Almanac still maintains a robust online presence, the cost of producing a high‑quality print edition—especially a 64‑page, full‑color, hand‑drawn volume—became unsustainable.

“We’ve done everything we can to keep the Almanac alive in the modern era,” said the publication’s senior editor. “But the print market has contracted so much that we simply couldn’t justify the expense of another year’s production without a guaranteed return.”

The last issue will still feature the classic “Weather Forecast” column, complete with the Almanac’s characteristic astrological commentary, along with a final crop advisory and a tribute to the publication’s history. Readers will be able to purchase the December 2024 issue for $7.99, and it will be distributed through the same channels that have carried the Almanac for generations.

Legacy and Continuation

Although the print version is ending, the Almanac’s brand and digital services will continue. The company’s website, https://www.farmersalmanac.com, will still offer the weather forecast, gardening advice, and the “Almanac Forecast” PDF that has long been a favorite of loyal readers. The site will also feature a new “Digital Almanac” subscription, allowing users to receive daily forecasts, gardening alerts and crop recommendations via email or the Almanac app.

The Gizmodo piece also highlighted the Almanac’s recent push to modernize its digital footprint. The site has recently integrated an AI‑powered forecast engine that aggregates data from NOAA, the National Weather Service and private radar feeds to provide hyper‑local predictions. This new system, called the “Almanac NextGen Forecast,” promises to deliver more accurate short‑term weather reports, while still maintaining the Almanac’s traditional long‑range predictions.

A Cultural Touchstone

The article underscored how the Almanac’s influence has transcended its primary mission of weather forecasting. Many readers recall childhood afternoons spent opening a fresh copy, eager to see what the sun would do the next day or what the next week’s crops would produce. The Almanac also inspired countless gardening blogs, YouTube channels and even the “Farmers Almanac” themed events that pop up across the country each year.

In an interview quoted by Gizmodo, a longtime reader explained that the Almanac had been a reliable source for “seasons, planting, and even the occasional horoscope.” He said the publication “helped him make sense of the world when he was a young farmer, and it still does that for people who live in the city and just want to know when the rain will come.”

The Final Issue: A Farewell to a Classic

The December 2024 issue is expected to include a comprehensive weather forecast that covers the last month of the year, along with a retrospective look at the Almanac’s history. The page count will be slightly reduced to 60 pages, with a few pages of “From the Archives” featuring the most memorable charts and columns from the Almanac’s long history.

Readers will also find a letter from the editorial board thanking the community for 208 years of support and outlining the ways in which the Almanac will continue to serve as an educational resource through its digital channels. The letter will emphasize the importance of community engagement, encouraging readers to share their own crop records and weather observations via the Almanac’s online forums.

Final Thoughts

The end of the Farmers Almanac’s print edition marks the closing of a chapter in American publishing history. The decision reflects broader trends in media consumption, yet the Almanac’s digital presence promises to keep its mission alive for future generations. Whether it’s a printed copy in a grocery aisle or a real‑time forecast on a smartphone, the Almanac’s legacy of demystifying the weather and guiding agriculture will continue to resonate. For many, the final issue will be a bittersweet reminder of the past, but also a hopeful glimpse into how the Almanac will adapt and thrive in a digital age.