An End of An Ag Era: What the End of Production of the Farmers’ Almanac Means for United Country

The Farmers’ Almanac has been a staple among farming, gardening and outdoor communities for more than two centuries, but this legacy periodical is coming to a close. The 2026 Farmers’ Almanac will be the final edition of the publication – not to be confused with the Old Farmer’s Almanac, which will remain available. For generations, this publication has been a solid companion in weather prediction, crop planting and living in sync with the outdoors.

The community at United Country has leaned on this enduring agricultural publication for generations. This distinctive yellow periodical has been our solid companion in weather prediction, crop planting and living in sync with the outdoors since our inception in 1925.

The Farmers’ Almanac

The Farmers’ Almanac was created by David Young and published for the first time in 1818. He quickly found success with triple the sales by the second year of production. While the practical advice attracted readers to the almanac, the folklore and humanity embedded in the pages kept people coming back year after year.

Thomas created a formula using sunspot activity, planetary position and tidal cycles to predict weather patterns, so farmers, agricultural professionals and landowners could optimize their planting season. Gardening charts, fishing tables, home remedies and proverbs that reflected the rhythms of rural life were featured in the publication, and the publication was reported to have 81% accuracy. Through generations, it became a trusted source for forecasts and everyday agricultural guidance, helping farmers achieve productive seasons long before the convenience of satellites and smartphones.

Why the Farmers’ Almanac Mattered

For those within rural and country communities, the almanac acted as a shared wisdom that connected us through respect for the land and nature’s cycles. It’s insights helped small farmers and rural families optimize their time in rhythm with the seasons thus bolstering their livelihood.

As we know here at United Country, a good year or a bad year can often come down to how well someone could anticipate the weather. The Farmers’ Almanac offered a steady reference point when technology was less accessible, especially at the beginning when trusting the forecast meant simply looking up at the sky.

Once accuracy was no longer the most important aspect due to the advancements in technology, checking the publication had become a treasured tradition in many communities.

Innovation Over Tradition: Agricultural Publications

With more and more folks adopting contemporary methods for weather forecasting, which admittedly tend to have higher accuracy, digital weather alerts have become the norm, leaving legacy publications in the past. Farmers today can now access hourly satellite updates, extensive soil condition data and predictive models more precise than ever before.

While it’s understandable that efficiency and certainty may overtake an artifact from yesteryear, it also signals a move away from prioritizing storytelling, community and craftsmanship in culture. The Almanac and similar publications emphasize how interconnected we all are and remind us how small we are compared to the great outdoors and the wiles of nature.

Looking to the Farmers’ Almanac and Old Farmer’s Almanac, there are many lessons to take from their highs and lows. In fact, it is easy to see how United Country’s historical catalog was influenced by these titans of the agricultural print works.

United Country’s Century of Agricultural Innovation

That kind of forward-thinking, taking available knowledge and packaging it into something helpful and wide-reaching, is the same spirit that has driven United Country for 100 years. Much like how the Farmers’ Almanac used complex natural cycles to provide practical advice, we have consistently innovated the rural real estate market, providing state-of-the-art tools for land professionals.

From creating the catalog, the first inter-state real estate catalog in American history, back in 1928 to modern additions and enhancements, United Country has stayed on the cutting edge of rural real estate technology and marketing. Yet we also distinguish ourselves and find success by appreciating the tried-and-true practices and building relationships in our communities. By balancing a heart for tradition and a mind for innovation, we provide a different level of service – one that can only come from hands-on experience and a century’s worth of success.

The end of the Farmers’ Almanac is a reminder of how much the rural communities and the country real estate industry have evolved. Its legacy reflects the same values we have championed for generations: a respect for history, preparation for the future and a steadfast connection to the land. When you effectively pair tradition with innovation, you don’t just keep up – you lead.