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Common Press Questions and Answers
What is the Farmers’ Almanac?
Founded in 1818, the Farmers’ Almanac is North America’s most timeless, trusted, and treasured source for long-range weather predictions, humor, fun facts, and valuable advice on gardening, cooking, fishing, conservation, and much more.
The Farmers' Almanac and Canadian Farmers’ Almanac, which feature our trademark orange and green cover, are sold in supermarkets, drugstores, bookstores, and retail outlets throughout North America, as well as online. The Farmers’ Almanac also publishes a 64-page promotional version that businesses can personalize and distribute to customers. The total annual circulation of all Farmers' Almanac editions is roughly 7 million.
How does a publication that started back in 1818 remain popular in today’s world?
Always close to the earth, always dedicated to living in harmony with nature, and always astonishing readers with amazingly accurate weather predictions, the Farmers’ Almanac is more popular than ever. The reason is simple; smart living never goes out of style.
In fact, the definitive issue of our age is environmental conservation, and the Farrmers' Almanac was the authority on sustainable and gree long before those words became trendy.
Now, thanks to our world-class multimedia Web site and our partnership with Farmers’ Almanac TV, we’re able to bring the down-home wit and wisdom that made the Farmers’ Almanac a household name to many millions of viewers on the Internet, cable, satellite, television and other distribution platforms.
What is a Philom?
Philom. is short for Philomath, a Greek word than means “lover of learning.” During America’s early days, publishers of almanacs were held in great esteem for their knowledge, and often carried the title "Philom." after their names.
Both Ben Franklin (a.k.a. Poor Richard, Philom.) and David Young, Founding Editor of the Farmers' Almanac, used the title, as did Ray Geiger, the longest running Almanac editor in history. When the Almanac's current editor, Peter Geiger, joined the editorial team, he renewed this almanac tradition, taking the title for himself and, later, conferring it to Managing Editor Sandi Duncan.
What is the secret to the Farmers’ Almanac’s long-range weather predictions?
Our famous long-range weather predictions are made two years in advance. Farmers’ Almanac forecaster Caleb Weatherbee uses a top-secret mathematical and astronomical formula, taking sunspot activity, tidal action, the position of the planet, and many other factors into consideration.
Who is Caleb Weatherbee?
Caleb Weatherbee is a pseudonym the Farmers’ Almanac uses for all of its weather forecasters, past and present. The true identity of our prognosticator is as secret as our nearly two centuries old formula for weather prediction.
How accurate are your weather predictions?
Longtime fans of the Farmers’ Almanac who follow our weather predictions claim they are accurate approximately 80-85% of the time.
What is Farmers’ Almanac TV?
Farmers’ Almanac TV is the sole licensee for video and new media production authorized by the Farmers’ Almanac. Founded in 2003 by Savannah, GA-based Buy the Farm, LLC, Farmers' Almanac TV currently produces:
Farmers' Almanac TV. The flagship series debuted on public television in 2006, and now airs in almost 90% of the nation. The weekly 30-minute magazine-format series covers fascinating personalities, unique events and admirable endeavors from both the familiar and remote corners of the North American landscape. Peppered throughout are hints and tips that span a dozen varied lifestyle categories -- gardening, cooking, natural cures, weather and others -- taken straight from years of actual Almanac pages.
Farmers' Almanac TV Presents, a series set to premier on cable television, expands some of the most popular short segments from Farmers' Almanac TV into fact-rich, half-hour stories.
Video from Farmers’ Almanac TV can be seen on the web at Weatherbug.com, Google video and Brightcove.com. Availability on iTunes and other new media is coming soon.
Can I interview an editor for the Farmers' Almanac?
Sure, click here to get contact information for Farmers' Almanac and Farmers' Almanac TV.