Two Almanacs – One Farewell ~ by Pam Crooks

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You may have heard on the news that “the Farmer’s Almanac is closing after their 2026 edition, ending more than 200 years of publication.”

When I heard that, I was sad because the Farmer’s Almanac had been such a beloved institution for so long. But my sadness shifted when the news anchor added that the Farmer’s Almanac was not to be confused with the OLD Farmer’s Almanac which was the oldest of the two and still going strong.

Wait. There’s TWO Farmer’s Almanacs?

Why didn’t I realize that? Probably because most people don’t tack on the word “Old” when talking about the almanacs, and from what I’ve read, I’m not alone in the confusion between the two.

 

So how did two Farmer’s Almanacs that have been around for more than two centuries remain so popular? And since they’re popular, how are they different? Because, surely, they wouldn’t have endured if they were the SAME, right?

While both are known for their weather predictions, gardening tips, recipes, and humor, they have their differences, too.

Here’s a quick comparison:

Founding:

Old Farmer’s Almanac – founded in 1792 (when George Washington was president!)
Farmers’ Almanac – founded in 1818

Weather Prediction Methods:

Old Farmer’s Almanac – Combines solar cycles, historical patterns, and satellite data
Farmers’ Almanac – Uses a secret formula based on mathematical and astronomical calculations tied to sunspots and tides, and no satellite data

Forecast Regions:

Old Farmer’s Almanac uses 18 regions in the US
Farmers’ Almanac uses 7 climate zones

Style:

Old Farmer’s Almanac blends science and tradition
Farmers’ Almanac has a faith-based, folklore tone

Modern Day:

Old Farmer’s Almanac has embraced the digital world with the use of apps, a website, YouTube, and social media
Farmers’ Almanac has a more limited digital usage.

Therein lies the biggest difference of all–and the reason for the Old Farmer’s Almanac’s long-standing duration.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac’s ability to adapt to new technology (while still keeping its friendly tone) is the reason why it is North America’s oldest continuously published periodical. Unfortunately, for the Farmers’ Almanac, rising production costs, declining print sales, and the failure to move toward a more aggressive digital presence was its downfall.

For more detailed information on the Old Farmer’s Almanac, check out my sister filly, Linda Broday’s, blog from a couple of years ago.  

https://petticoatsandpistols.com/2024/01/16/the-oldest-continuously-run-publication-in-america/

To win a copy of your choice of the 2026 version of the Old Farmer’s Almanac or the Farmers’ Almanac (if available – it’s currently out of stock, no doubt due to the sentimentality of its final issue), tell me . . .

Have you or someone in your past read the (Old) Farmer’s Almanac? Did you rely on its weather predictions? Have you tried any of their recipes or household hints?

 

To stay up on our latest releases and have some fun, too, join our Facebook Reader Group HERE!

 

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Pam has written 30 romances, most of them historical westerns, but she's proud of her contemporary sweet romances featuring the Blackstone Ranch series published by Tule Publishing, too! Stay up on the latest at www.pamcrooks.com

65 thoughts on “Two Almanacs – One Farewell ~ by Pam Crooks”

  1. Interesting. I don’t think I’ve even seen the new version anywhere. I didn’t even know it existed. I haven’t read a copy of the old one in years. My grandmother always had a copy. Not sure she used it to track the weather or anything but we all loved reading and it was another thing to read. And I imagine my mother would have tried the recipes. Thanks for the giveaway.

    • Good morning, Sally. It seems you and I are together in not knowing about the newer version of Farmer’s Almanac, although 1818 doesn’t really qualify as “new”, does it? Ha!

  2. My grandparents used it and one of those Ramon Brownie lunar phase calendars given out by pharmacies and other businesses back in the day. I can still see it hanging in the kitchen, white background with red and black print.

    • Hi, Denise. I’d never heard of the Ramon Brownie, but a quick Google search says it’s been around since 1876! Who knew? And like you said, they were distributed by pharmacies as an advertisement and marketing tool.

      I wonder where they got their almanac info? Maybe the (Old) Farmer’s Almanac, eh? 🙂

  4. Thanks for sharing. I had no idea there was two. Though I guess the Old Farmers Almanac is what I think about when I hear it,I have never read it.

  5. I used to buy one but stopped when I found them hard to find. They are uncanny in what they present in the pages.

    • That uncanniness is their whole appeal. I’m really wishing I would have paid more attention to them in my earlier years. But being a city girl, the (Old) Farmer’s Almanac wasn’t on my radar.

  6. I get an email from the Old Farmer’s Almanac everyday. I enjoy reading through the comments about gardening and other things. I sometimes follow some of their gardening suggestions and I like checking some of the moon phases and the alerts for eclipses. I once won a contest guessing when the first snow date would be in the town where the office in located. I received an almanac, a calendar, and several other little goodies.

  7. My Daddy used to get the Old Farmer’s Almanac, and he and I would both read it from cover to cover! Daddy would keep it and go back over it some. Daddy used it for weather predictions, though I don’t remember he or Mom using it for more. It was hard to find even then, only certain stores had it.

    • Hi, Trudy! I suspect a big part of the appeal of the Old Farmer’s Almanac is the variety of info they offered, blending new with old. Something for everyone–which kept the reader turning pages. That’s pretty genius, actually.

  8. Both sets of my grandparents were sharecroppers. They always had copies of the Farmer’s Almanac lying around. My parents also had them throughout my childhood. Because I was an avid reader, I loved reading them. I remember Daddy using his to know when to grow crops, as well as the weather.

    • I should have noted above that I have inherited my grandparents’ land. I have built my house here on their land. If I won a copy of the Farmers Almanac, I would display it in my new home to remember my grandparents and parents.

  9. I knew about the Old Farmer’s Almanac, but the simple Farmer’s Almanac is a new one to me. I love cruising through the OFA… Husband got me hooked on it.

    • Good morning, Nan! I think cruising the pages would be fun, too! Something different on every page. I suspect I wouldn’t understand the lunar and astrology info, but the variety would hold my attention during my “cruising”. LOL.

  10. The Old Farmer’s Alamanac has been part of my daily life the whole time – My grandmother always had a copy and didn’t do anything BIG without consulting it – I weaned my children, castrate animals, cut my hair and fingernails all according to the right dates!!

  11. I always rely on the Old Farmers Almanac and my mom before me. I’m not a big fan of the s word in the winter and always want to prepare for it.

    • Oh, I’m with you, Charlene. I have a love-hate relationship with snow, too. But I admit to a certain anticipation when a big snowfall is imminent. I would probably be glued to their forecast pages, too.

  12. I have not read the Old Farmer’s Almanac, but I have a book put out by them with some of their rdcipes.

  13. Hey Pam! Years ago I would plan my vacations around the Old Farmers Almanacs weather predictions. Not so much anymore ;o)

  15. Super interesting post, Pam. I, too, thought there was just one Farmer’s Almanac, though I pictured the “old” one in my head. Thanks for the tidy summary of their differences. Although, I now have a burning question – Which of the two had more accurate weather predictions over the course of their publication? 🙂

  17. My grandfather always depended on The Old Farmer’s Almanac I didn’t realize that there where different ones.

  18. My father was a farmer most of his life. So, I definitely know about the Farmer’s Almanac. I am agast. I did not know there were 2 Farmer’s Almanacs. I am so glad to learn the original, “OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC” will still be in print. Even though created many centuries ago, they embraced technology. It goes to prove, one must advance with the times in order to survive. I would love to have an issue of the OLD Farmer’s Almanac, as a farmer’s daughter! Such an interesting post.

  19. Hello Pam yes I have read and Love The Farmers Almanacs and I have even went with the sign’s when planting our garden every year Thank you for this amazing giveaway

  21. Learn something new everyday. lol I never knew there were two different almanacs. I remember my parents always reading the Old Farmer’s Almanac and my mother-in-law especially. She would go by the “signs” when planting the garden and I believe she looked in the almanac to see what the “signs” were. You planted certain crops when the signs were in the knees; you didn’t plant certain ones when the signs were in the stomach. Don’t remember which crops they were. lol Sorry! Thanks for all the information.

  22. I didn’t know there were to different books. I have read the Old Farmers Almanac and my grandparents would use it to plant the garden. My dad and brother also used it.

    • It sounds like you definitely have a Farmer’s Almanac family, Linda.

      I’m feeling not so alone that so many of you didn’t know about the second almanac. 🙂

  23. Good morning, wow, I had no idea there were 2, I know I have seen th Old one at one time or another, Thank you for posting this and making me aware. Have a great day and a great weekend.

  25. This is not a duplicate post!As a librarian, I depended upon the Old Farmers Almanac to provide information for patron questions.

  26. I had no idea there was a new version. Jeepers! Enjoyed reading your blog Pam. Hope all is well in your corner. Happy Thanksgiving.

  27. I didn’t know the difference either, but I’m sure glad that the OLD Farmer’s Almanac is continuing. My dad relied on it, and would make an agricultural move without consulting it. Whether planting crops or deciding when to work his cattle, everything was done according to the almanac’s schedule. It always served him well.

    • That’s SO amazing how well the almanac served him, Kim, and that he trusted it so much. It’s actually a bit befuddling to me how something published a year in advance (and once a year) can be so trustworthy. 🙂 No wonder the OFA has been around so long.

  28. I’ve never heard of the Farmer’s Almanac. The Old Farmer’s Almanac can be found in many stores here. I read one once many, many, many moons ago but don’t really remember much about it.

  29. My Mom told me that my grandfather would read the Farmer’s Almanac. I know other family members who were farmers that also read it. Thank you for the opportunity. God bless you.

  30. My father used to read the Farmer’s Almanac but I don’t know which one. I didn’t know there were two versions.

  31. I didn’t know there were two versions and have not read either. I do recall the older one being quoted on occasion.

  32. Pam, Thank you for the interesting post. I missed it yesterday and am glad I came back to read it. I was upset when I heard it was closing, thinking it was the “Old” one. Like so many others, I didn’t know about the other one. I didn’t read the Old Farmers Almanac that often, but it was interesting to flip through and read the variety of articles.

    • Good morning, Pat. So many of you have commented about not being aware of Farmers’ Almanac, that the original was so much more familiar. Makes me wonder how Farmers’ Almanac endured for as long as it did!

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