History of The Old Farmer’s Almanac

If you’ve ever wondered about how The Old Farmer’s Almanac got its start, you’ve come to the right place! From its notable moments to the behind-the-scenes people who bring the book to life for millions of readers each year, here’s a glimpse at the history of America’s favorite and best-selling almanac, which has a background as rich and diverse as every annual issue. 

How the Almanac Got Off to a Good Start

Under the guiding hand of its first editor, Robert B. Thomas, the premiere issue of The Farmer’s Almanac, as it was known then, was published in 1792 during George Washington’s first term as president.

Although many other almanacs were being produced at the time, Thomas’s upstart became an immediate success. In fact, by its second year, circulation tripled from 3,000 to 9,000. Back then, the Almanac cost only 6 pence (about 9 cents).

The 1793 (Old) Farmer’s Almanac, published in 1792.

So, what factors made the Almanac stand out? Readers became fans of its astronomical data and long-range weather predictions, the latter of which were based on Thomas’s own formula utilizing a complex series of natural cycles and observations. His forecasts brought uncannily precise results, on average known to be 80 percent accurate. 

These forecasts, coupled with practical advice and entertaining features, spoke to Thomas’s mission for the publication to be “useful, with a pleasant degree of humor.” 

Thomas continued as editor for more than 50 years, passing away in 1846 at the age of 80, reportedly reading page proofs for the 1847 edition. 

The Almanac Hits Its Stride

Thomas’ successor, John H. Jenks, was helped by the fact that Thomas had already calculated the astronomical material for several future editions. In 1848, Jenks officially added Old to the title of the Almanac. The book had been previously known as The Farmer’s Almanac, except in 1832 when Thomas had inserted the word Old, but then inexplicably dropped it from the title 3 years later. 

In 1851, Jenks added to the cover a drawing depicting the four seasons by artist Henry Nichols. This art has appeared on the cover of the The Old Farmer’s Almanac every year since. 

Charles L. Flint became editor in 1861 and put a focus on farming. The next two editors, John Boies Tileston and Loomis Joseph Campbell, served short terms and made little impression beyond keeping the Almanac going in its traditional way. 

In 1877, Robert Ware became the Almanac’s sixth editor, but he delegated many of his editorial tasks to focus on his true passion: the publishing business. 

Ware’s brother, Horace, took the reins in 1900. During his 19 years as editor, he began to orient the book toward a more general audience by replacing the scientific agricultural articles with general features on nature and modern life. 

The eighth and ninth editors, Frank Newton and Carroll Swan, kept the Almanac tradition alive even during times of war and the Depression. 

Greatest of All Almanac Blunders

Roger Scaife was appointed editor in 1936. His term coincided with the only time in the history of the Almanac that it declined precipitously in circulation and financial stability. The 1938 edition had a circulation of only 88,000, compared with 225,000 in 1863!

Perhaps that’s why Scaife decided to try something radical: dropping the weather forecasts! In their place, he substituted temperature and precipitation averages. The public outcry was so great that the full forecasts were reinstated the following year, but it was too late: Scaife’s decision would go down as the Almanac’s all-time greatest blunder. 

Robb Sagendorph Leads the Almanac

In 1939, Robb Sagendorph purchased The Old Farmer’s Almanac and became its editor. Sagendorph, who had moved his family to Dublin, New Hampshire, 4 years earlier to start Yankee magazine, recognized that the heart of the Almanac was in its traditions. Under his leadership, the Almanac returned to its roots, becoming more witty, wise, and entertaining. 

In 1942, a German spy was apprehended by the FBI with a copy of The Old Farmer’s Almanac in his pocket. The U.S. government feared that the Germans were using the Almanac’s weather forecasts in their wartime strategy! A shift to weather indications, rather than forecasts, allowed the Almanac to continue publishing through the war. It was a close call that almost ruined the Almanac’s perfect record of continuous publication!

The Almanac Continues to Thrive

Over the decades, the Almanac’s reach and reputation continued to grow. Sagendorph’s nephew, Judson Hale, took over as editor in 1970, followed by the first female editor, Janice Stillman, in 2000. 

In 2023, The Old Farmer’s Almanac named Carol Connare as its 14^th editor, carrying on the legacy of the Almanac with a mission to introduce a new generation of farmers, gardeners, and nature enthusiasts to the humor and wisdom of the Almanac. 

Of course, the editor of the Almanac has never worked alone. The Almanac team includes editorial staff, who research, fact check, and, often, help write each edition, and a history of strong publishers, who ensure that The Old Farmer’s Almanac continues to make its way to readers, seamlessly, year after year. 

John Pierce became the Almanac’s first publisher in 1990. With his strong business acumen, Pierce recognized the value of the brand and the need to fortify it in order to weather a changing media landscape. Under his guidance, the Almanac gained new, invaluable editorial positions, explored new channels of distribution, and launched Almanac.com. In 1994, Pierce was named Group Publisher. He held this position until his death in 2008. 

Sherin Pierce became Publisher of the Almanac in 1994. She has brought The Old Farmer’s Almanac into the future through digital platforms, including introducing mobile and e-reader versions, and working with internal teams to grow Almanac.com and establish the Almanac’s social channels, including on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and BlueSky.  She has strengthened the Almanac in the marketplace by diversifying distribution on the newsstand, while launching direct and subscription programs. This approach has allowed Almanac sales to grow year-over-year in a time when publishing revenues overall have declined. 

Today, The Old Farmer’s Almanac is the oldest continuously published periodical in North America, with a circulation of over 2.5 million copies throughout the United States and Canada. People still flock to the Almanac for its 80 percent accurate weather forecasts, which have evolved to incorporate state-of-the-art technology and modern scientific principles, in addition to Thomas’s original formulation.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac—along with its forecasts for the coming winter—is still released annually each fall. Its family of titles also now includes the annual Garden Guide, The Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids, and a collection of wall and desk calendars. The Almanac has also published a series of must-have gardening titles: the Container Gardener’s Handbook, Flower Gardener’s Handbook, and the Vegetable Gardener’s Handbook. 

Since 1792, readers have turned to The Old Farmer’s Almanac to delight in its entertainments and wisdom and for its unmatched reliability that’s as sure as the Sun rises and the seasons change. In an increasingly outsourced world, The Old Farmer’s Almanac has maintained its headquarters and staff in Dublin, New Hampshire, for going on a century. 

Learn more about the Almanac’s origins, history, and odd moments along its path to North America’s most popular reference book! Watch The Old Farmer’s Almanac Documentary Video!

The Newest Edition of the Almanac
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