Skip to main content

After 200 years, the Farmers’ Almanac bets on a digital reboot and new owner

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The Farmers’ Almanac isn’t going out of business after all, but it is leaving Maine for the bright lights of New York City and a new owner.

Beloved by farmers and gardeners, the almanac was first printed in 1818 and — like the arguably more famous Old Farmer’s Almanac — relies on a secret formula of sunspots, planetary positions and lunar cycles to generate long-range weather forecasts.

It’s been acquired by Unofficial Networks, a digital publisher focused on skiing and outdoor recreation. That means the almanac will keep operating despite announcing in November that its 208-year run was coming to an end.

A new Farmers’ Almanac website will be “a living, breathing publication with fresh, daily content” and there are plans to bring back a print edition, said Tim Konrad, founder and publisher of New York-based Unofficial Networks.

“I saw the announcement that one of America’s most enduring publications was set to close,” Konrad said, “and it felt wrong to stand by while an irreplaceable piece of our national heritage disappeared.”

The deal will prioritize “preserving and sustaining the iconic publication,” according to a statement from Unofficial Networks and Peter Geiger, the almanac’s longtime publisher.

The Farmers’ Almanac was founded in New Jersey before moving its headquarters to Lewiston, Maine, in 1955. The Old Farmer’s Almanac is based in New Hampshire.

Over the years, scientists have sometimes chafed at the publications’ predictions. Studies of their accuracy have found them to be a little more than 50% accurate. That is about on par with random chance.

But Geiger, whose family had the Farmers’ Almanac for more than 90 years, said they’re “going out a winner” by having predicted a cold and snowy 2026.

“For more than 200 years, the values and wisdom of the Farmers’ Almanac have been protected and nurtured by four owner-publishers,” Geiger said. “I am grateful to have found the right next custodian in Tim Konrad. I am also confident he will honor its heritage and carry it forward for generations to come.”

Unofficial Networks was started in 2006 by Konrad and his brother John in a California basement, according to the company’s website.

Oscars presenters add a former host, three nominees and a famous father-son duo

It'll be big year for Pullmans at the Oscars. The show's producers said Wednesday that Bill Pullman and his son Lewis Pullman have joined the starry roster of presenters for Sunday's live broadcast of the 98th annual Academy Awards. Also included in this batch are nominees Rose Byrne, Wagner Moura and Delroy Lindo, former Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel, as well as Pedro Pascal, Channing Tatum and Sigourney Weaver. Oscars producers told The Associated Press that audiences should expect even more stars than have been announced, though. Showrunner and executive producer Raj Kapoor said the list is “jaw-dropping” and there will be plenty of surprises throughout the evening, including reunions and some appearances by people who haven't been on the stage in a long time. Here's everything else you need to know.
Read Next Story