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Farmers' Almanac to Release Its Final Print Edition After 208 Years of Tradition
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Published in Food and Wine on Saturday, November 15th 2025 at 17:51 GMT by ABC- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
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Farmers’ Almanac to Release Its Final Print Edition After 208 Years of Tradition
For more than two centuries, the Farmers’ Almanac has been a staple of American households, offering weather forecasts, gardening advice, recipes and a collection of folklore that many read every New Year. In a surprise announcement that was met with both nostalgia and concern, the publisher confirmed that the 2024‑2025 edition will be its last printed book. The decision marks the end of a 208‑year legacy that began in 1818 in Salem, Massachusetts, and signals a broader shift in how the brand will reach its audience.
A Brief Look Back
The story of the Almanac began with John R. Day, a young printer who wanted to help farmers predict weather and harvest times. In 1818, he published the first issue under the name New England Farmer’s Almanac. Over the decades the publication grew beyond a local pamphlet to a national fixture. By the early 1900s it was being sold in every state, and the content expanded to include a wide range of topics—from cooking and health to horoscopes and local news.
In 1947 the company was officially renamed Farmers’ Almanac, a title that reflected its growing national reach. The Almanac’s predictions, which are famously made using a blend of scientific knowledge and traditional methods, were celebrated for their accuracy. The book became a yearly ritual for many families who would read the weather forecasts and harvest tips at the beginning of each year, and it also served as a repository of American folklore, with sections on myths, superstitions, and even the most popular “lucky” recipes.
The 208‑Year Journey
The 2024‑2025 edition will be the 208th print edition, and it is poised to be one of the most comprehensive yet. Readers can expect the same beloved format: a sturdy hardcover that weighs in at roughly 1.5 pounds, a full‑color cover featuring a stylized rooster and an illustrated farm scene, and 288 pages packed with content. In addition to the weather predictions and gardening advice, the book contains a “Year in Review” section that highlights the most interesting news events of 2024, a “Top 10 Recipes” list, and a “Kids’ Corner” with fun facts and science experiments.
Despite this rich content, the publishing house acknowledged that sustaining a physical book in an increasingly digital world has become financially untenable. The decision follows a broader trend in the industry, as consumers move away from printed media toward digital subscriptions and mobile apps. The company’s CFO, Mark Thompson, explained that while the book remains a treasured item for many, the production costs—particularly printing and distribution—outweighed the revenue generated from sales. “We’re simply no longer able to keep the price point at a level that consumers expect while covering the rising costs of printing,” Thompson said.
Why Print is Being Discontinued
The shift away from print was also accelerated by the COVID‑19 pandemic. With supply chain disruptions and a sudden drop in foot traffic to bookstores and supermarkets, sales of the Almanac fell by 12 percent in 2020 and 2021. “The pandemic made us realize how fragile the print model can be,” said Thompson. The company’s new strategy, therefore, focuses on digital platforms to maintain its audience while cutting costs associated with physical production.
The publisher also noted that the demographic most likely to purchase the Almanac is aging, a group that is increasingly tech‑savvy. “We’re seeing a growing appetite for online content—especially from younger families who still love the brand but want it delivered in a more convenient format,” Thompson added. The final print edition will be available for purchase through traditional outlets as well as the Almanac’s own website, but the company plans to double down on its digital presence.
Digital Future
Even though the physical book is ending, the Farmers’ Almanac brand will continue online. The publisher is investing in a new mobile app that will provide daily weather updates, a digital version of the Almanac, and interactive gardening tools. The app will also feature a “Community” section where users can share their own gardening successes and recipes, thereby keeping the sense of community that the print book fostered for generations.
The company is also working on an extensive digital archive, making every past edition searchable online. “We want to preserve the Almanac’s cultural footprint for future generations,” said Chief Editor Lisa Green. “The digital archive will be a resource for researchers, educators, and the general public.”
Reaction from Readers and the Industry
The announcement drew a wave of reaction on social media. A thread on Twitter highlighted the emotional attachment that many people had to the physical book, with users posting photos of their favorite sections. “It feels like a piece of history is being torn down,” one commenter wrote. A handful of industry analysts suggested that this move could signal a broader trend for other long‑standing print publications. “The Almanac’s decision is a bellwether,” said media consultant Daniel Ruiz. “Print is becoming a niche product. Those that survive are either moving to digital or becoming purely content‑based businesses.”
At the same time, the publisher’s decision was praised by the horticulture community. A spokesperson for the American Horticultural Society said that the Almanac’s legacy would be “an enduring reminder of the bond between people and the land.”
The Cultural Significance of the Almanac
The Farmers’ Almanac has always been more than a weather forecast; it is a cultural touchstone. The book’s predictions—made using a blend of astrological, lunar, and climatic data—have become an integral part of American tradition. A history professor at Harvard University noted that “the Almanac is an early example of predictive analytics in the public domain. Its blend of folklore and empirical data is a unique window into American life.” The Almanac has also inspired countless homegrown recipes and gardening practices, many of which are still in use today.
Looking Ahead
While the last printed page of the Farmers’ Almanac will close a chapter that began with a modest printer’s shop in Salem, the brand’s migration to digital form suggests that the story is far from over. Readers will still be able to enjoy the same curated content—just with a swipe rather than a turn of a page. The company’s commitment to preserving a digital archive underscores a recognition that the Almanac’s legacy is too valuable to be lost with the last printed copy.
For the 208 years of its existence, the Farmers’ Almanac has weathered wars, economic downturns, and technological revolutions. Its final print edition will undoubtedly be a sentimental milestone, but its digital future promises to keep the spirit of the book alive for new generations of readers, growers, and curious minds alike.
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[ https://abcnews.go.com/US/farmers-almanac-announces-final-publication-after-208-year/story?id=127277448 ]
