Is it going to rain? When should I plant my crops? Is it blueberry season? What phase is the moon in? No worries… there’s an almanac for that! For over 200 years, farmers, gardeners, and weather enthusiasts have all put their faith in one tool… the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Personally, this is a topic that’s always interested me, and I found myself eager to research it for this post. In our modern world, it may seem like a compilation of old wives’ tales, but the truth is that many producers of your food rely whole-heartedly on the Old Farmer’s Almanac. The authors make astrological and weather predictions over a year in advance, as well as publish cooking, gardening, and life advice in every edition. Their moto is “to be useful with a pleasant degree of humor,” and this year, the makers of the 225th edition are looking to celebrate living up to that phrase for over two centuries. Although there are skeptics, the Almanac has proven to be right over 80% of the time. How do they do it? Experts track a wide range of astrological processes, and then fit them into a super-secret formula (seriously—I’m talking your grandma’s secret meatball recipe level confidentiality, here) that dictates our weather months in advance.
Janice Stillman, current Almanac editor, discusses the significance of the Old Faremer's Almanac's 225th anniversery
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In the 18th century, there were many other almanacs of its kind all fighting to be right. However, Robert B. Thomas’ first publication of the Old Farmer’s Almanac in 1792 conquered them all instantly. Less than three years later, he had already sold over 10,000 copies, quickly making it the leading periodical in the United States. After Thomas died, John H. Jenks became the new editor, and added the recognizable four-season cover photo that’s still used today. Following him, Charles L. Flint became the editor and encouraged the publication to live up to its name by placing a larger emphasis on farming. Moving through the 20th century, the Old Farmer’s Almanac experienced some trials, but it continued to grow. During World War II, it was made famous across the globe when it was found in the pocket of an imprisoned German spy who was believed to have been using it to make weather predictions, which meant that the almanac writers were inadvertently giving information to the enemy. Luckily, the FBI did not incriminate the makers. Today, Janice Stillman is the editor, and she places heavy emphasis on preserving the periodical’s traditions while still making it relevant to a modern audience. With 2017 being such a milestone of an anniversary, Stillman is taking a nostalgic look back at how significant the Almanac has become. Even though none of us were alive during most of its history, the articles in past issues give us great insight to how people lived and thought, as well as how far the agricultural industry has come.
Sources:
"History of The Old Farmer's Almanac." Old Farmer's Almanac. The Old Farmer's Almanac, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2017.
"Significance of the 225th Old Farmer's Almanac." Old Farmer's Almanac. The Old Farmer's Almanac, 16 Aug. 2016. Web. 24 Feb.
2017.
Sources:
"History of The Old Farmer's Almanac." Old Farmer's Almanac. The Old Farmer's Almanac, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2017.
"Significance of the 225th Old Farmer's Almanac." Old Farmer's Almanac. The Old Farmer's Almanac, 16 Aug. 2016. Web. 24 Feb.
2017.