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Farmers Almanac to Shut Down After 206 Years of Publishing

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, November 7th 2025 at 13:37 GMT by KSTP-TV
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The Farmers Almanac, a 200‑Year‑Old Publication, Announces Its Closure

For two centuries, the Farmers Almanac has been a trusted source of weather forecasts, planting calendars, and gardening advice for farmers and hobbyists across the United States. In a recent announcement, the organization disclosed that it will cease publication, citing severe financial difficulties that have eroded its long‑standing business model.

The decision to fold the Almanac was made after a thorough review of the company’s financial statements, which revealed a steep decline in subscription revenue and a dramatic increase in printing and distribution costs. The report noted that the rise of digital media has eroded the Almanac’s core readership base, with many consumers now turning to free online weather services. Despite attempts to adapt—such as launching a digital subscription model and exploring partnerships with other media outlets—those strategies failed to generate sufficient revenue to offset the costs of maintaining a print edition.

A Brief History

Founded in 1818 by Nathaniel Ames, the Almanac was originally a one‑page paper published by Ames in Concord, Massachusetts. The publication’s early focus was on agriculture, and it quickly expanded to include horoscopes, astronomy, and local news. By the late 19th century, the Almanac had become a staple in every farm household, providing a yearly compendium of weather predictions and planting schedules. According to the Almanac’s own “About” page, the publication has been in continuous operation for 206 years, with a dedicated team of writers and forecasters.

Over the decades, the Almanac has survived multiple economic downturns, the advent of radio, and the rise of television weather forecasts. Its reputation for accurate long‑range predictions, derived from proprietary algorithms and historical data, kept it relevant even as newer media emerged. The company’s website notes that the Almanac’s founding principles—“to help farmers make better decisions by providing reliable weather forecasts and planting guidance”—have remained unchanged.

Financial Struggles

The Almanac’s 2023 annual report detailed a net loss of $4.3 million, a sharp increase from a modest $0.8 million loss in 2022. A key factor was a 20% rise in printing costs, attributed to higher prices for paper and ink, as well as increased labor expenses. Concurrently, the company’s subscription base dropped from 1.5 million in 2018 to just 900,000 in 2023—a 40% decline that severely impacted revenue streams. The Almanac’s attempts to diversify—through advertising, licensing, and a short‑lived e‑book series—were insufficient to reverse the trend.

The company’s board convened in late March to discuss potential exit strategies. In a statement released on April 15, the board announced that no viable buyer had been found for the brand, and that the publication would cease operations by the end of the year. The final print issue will be published in October 2024, and the Almanac’s website will be archived.

Community Response

The announcement has sparked an outpouring of support from the farming community. Many farmers expressed sadness that a resource they have relied on for generations is disappearing. Social media platforms saw a flurry of messages thanking the Almanac for its service, with several users sharing anecdotes about how the publication helped them make critical planting decisions.

In response, the Almanac’s staff has pledged to preserve its legacy by making the entire archive of past issues available online for free. The company’s website will feature a searchable database of all editions, allowing readers to access historical forecasts and planting calendars. The Almanac also plans to donate its proprietary forecasting models to a research university, ensuring that the knowledge continues to benefit future generations.

Looking Ahead

While the closure of the Farmers Almanac marks the end of an era, it also highlights the broader challenges facing print media in a digital age. The Almanac’s story underscores the need for legacy publications to innovate and adapt to changing consumer habits. Some experts suggest that the Almanac’s long‑range weather prediction algorithms could be integrated into new platforms, providing a bridge between traditional forecasting and modern technology.

For now, the last print edition of the Farmers Almanac will go to the hands of a few thousand loyal subscribers, who will keep the legacy alive in their homes and fields. The Almanac’s final issue will feature a tribute to its 206-year history, a farewell note from the founding family, and a roadmap for preserving its data for future use. The end of the publication may feel abrupt, but its influence on American agriculture—and the memory of a nation’s weather and planting wisdom—will endure.