Finding Our Rhythm with the Old Farmer’s Almanac
In this episode of Grit and Grace in the Heartland, Mary and Leah welcome Carol Connare, editor in chief of the Old Farmer’s Almanac, for a rich and genuinely enjoyable conversation about weather, gardening, livestock, and the wisdom that comes from paying attention to the natural world.
They begin, as many rural conversations do, with the weather. From dangerously cold wind chills in Minnesota to a surprisingly mild stretch in New Hampshire, it is clear that weather continues to shape daily life for farmers and gardeners alike. Carol shares how unpredictable patterns have become more common, while Mary and Leah talk about how those swings have made recent growing seasons especially challenging.
That leads into an important clarification. Despite rumors online, the Old Farmer’s Almanac is not going anywhere. Founded in 1792, it remains strong and widely read. While another similarly named publication recently stopped printing, the Old Farmer’s Almanac continues to thrive, even reprinting extra copies this year due to increased demand.
Carol explains that the Almanac publishes about two and a half million copies annually in multiple formats, including print, large print, Kindle, and versions designed to hang in barns and workshops. Its readers are often gardeners, growers, and people who value nature, self sufficiency, and practical knowledge. Many have been loyal readers for decades, often introduced by parents or grandparents.
Leah shares how her family uses the Almanac to guide livestock decisions, especially during stressful events like weaning calves. By working with lunar signs, they have seen calmer animals and better outcomes. While some view this approach skeptically, both Leah and Carol point out that observation, cycles, and natural forces have always played a role in agriculture and animal care.
Carol also shares her personal journey to the Almanac, returning after years in publishing, teaching, and gardening. It is a role that blends her love of storytelling, research, and hands on experience with the land.
Throughout the conversation, Mary and Leah reflect on why the Almanac still matters. Rather than offering quick fixes, it invites readers to slow down, observe, and work in partnership with the environment. In a noisy and fast paced world, it offers something steady, trusted, and deeply grounded.
The episode wraps up with a reminder that the Old Farmer’s Almanac is affordable, accessible, and full of practical value. Listeners can explore the Almanac, along with free tools like planting calculators and frost date maps, at almanac.com, and follow along on social media for even more seasonal wisdom.
It is a conversation that reminds us that nature still has plenty to teach, if we are willing to listen.