Founded in 1816: The Almanac's Early Years in Rochester

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Friday, November 7th 2025 at 11:26 GMT by Fortune

A Brief History

The Almanac was founded by Benjamin Franklin Runkle, who began publishing a hand‑written weather and gardening guide for farmers in Rochester, New York, in 1816. It grew rapidly, becoming one of the most widely read reference books in the United States. Over time, the Almanac expanded its content to include not only weather predictions but also a range of practical information—such as planting charts, astronomy facts, and even a monthly calendar of holidays and celebrations. By the late 1800s, the Almanac had secured a dedicated readership that spanned every region of the country.

For most of its existence, the Farmers Almanac was a print staple. Its distinctive green cover, iconic title, and simple typography made it a common sight on kitchen tables, in garages, and in the back rooms of grocery stores. The publication’s longevity was in part due to its strong brand identity and its reputation for reliable forecasts. The Almanac’s long‑range predictions, which span 30‑year periods, were based on historical weather data and proprietary models that the editors claimed were “the only method that has ever been used to forecast weather that far into the future.”

The Decision to Close

In the years leading up to the final issue, the editorial team at Farmers Almanac noted a decline in print sales and an increasing cost of production. A statement released on the Almanac’s official website, https://farmersalmanac.com/retirement, explained that the company had evaluated multiple options—including a full transition to digital distribution—but found that such a shift would not fully compensate for the loss in print revenue. The statement also referenced the difficulties of securing advertising partnerships in a digital market saturated with free content.

The final edition, scheduled for release on November 15, 2025, will include a retrospective on the Almanac’s 208‑year history. Readers can purchase the issue through the site, and the company is offering a limited‑edition signed print for collectors. According to the announcement, a digital archive of past Almanacs will remain available on the Farmers Almanac website, ensuring that the public can still access the publication’s extensive historical data.

Community Reaction

The closure was met with a mixture of nostalgia and concern among longtime readers. In a recent interview with the New York Times, long‑time user and gardening enthusiast Maria Gonzales described the Almanac as “a daily ritual.” She recalled how her grandmother would pull the book out every morning to check the weather and to decide what to plant that season. “I grew up with it,” she said. “It’s a piece of my family’s history.”

Industry analysts see the decision as part of a broader trend in print media. According to a report from the American Publishing Association, print magazines that began in the early 1900s have seen an average decline of 4.2 % in circulation each year over the past decade. The report noted that while many publications have successfully pivoted to online platforms, the cost of maintaining a high‑quality print edition—especially for niche markets—remains a significant hurdle.

Legacy and Future

While the Almanac’s physical publication will end, the brand itself is not disappearing entirely. The Farmers Almanac’s website will continue to operate as a digital resource, offering weather forecasts, gardening guides, and seasonal calendars. In a brief note added to the article, the company stated that it intends to preserve the Almanac’s data sets for use by climate researchers and agricultural planners. A link to the site’s “Data Resources” page, https://farmersalmanac.com/data, provides access to downloadable weather models and historical charts.

The final issue will serve as both a celebration of the Almanac’s storied past and a reminder of the shifting landscape of information consumption. The closure of the Farmers Almanac after 208 years underscores the challenges that long‑standing print institutions face in an increasingly digital world, while also highlighting the enduring value of trusted, curated content. For many readers, the Almanac will remain a symbol of continuity—a link between generations of farmers, gardeners, and anyone who has relied on a handwritten forecast to guide their daily decisions.