Old-School Forecasting; Farmers Almanacs' Low-Tech Appeal

Byline: Shelley Widhalm, THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Farmers aren't turning to farmers almanacs anymore. At least not to forecast the weather for their crops. While they turn to radio, television and the Internet for weather advice, modern-day farmers read the almanacs more for nostalgia and to check information against other sources.

"When the almanac started, there was no other source available to them. ... People relied on the information," says Sandi Duncan, managing editor of the Farmers' Almanac, based in Lewiston, Maine. Today, "I think people look to the almanac for nostalgia and times gone by," she says.

Farmers, along with gardeners, weather watchers, stargazers and those planning activities, can refer to the farmers almanacs' long-range weather forecasts, astronomical data and helpful hints for the home and garden.

The Farmers' Almanac, founded in 1818, and the Old Farmer's Almanac, founded in 1792, use different formulas to develop the weather forecasts and astronomical calculations that provide a resource for gardeners and …

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Publication information: Article title: Old-School Forecasting; Farmers Almanacs' Low-Tech Appeal. Contributors: Not available. Newspaper title: The Washington Times (Washington, DC). Publication date: May 19, 2004. Page number: B01. © 2009 The Washington Times LLC. COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group.

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