Today’s surprise guest is Benjamin Franklin. Although never an “in the fields farmer,” Mr. Franklin made many contributions to the farming industry. Upon his retirement, he purchased a farm in New Jersey/Philadelphia where he turned farming into a science. Projects like crop rotation, drainage, the lighting rod, and of course he wrote Poor Richard’s Almanac. This Almanac was considered a farmers' Bible and Mr. Franklin was considered an agricultural advocate.
Poor Richard’s Almanac, (Almanack), 1733-1757, published by Benjamin Franklin, The Old Farmers Almanac, 1792 to current, and of course, The Farmer’s Almanac from 1818 to the last issue of last year. It is with great sorrow that only one of these three great almanac survive these trying times. Although Poor Richard’s Almanac stopped publishing in 1757, Benjamin Franklin, the publisher, was a very entertaining gentleman, and he did manage to get many original quotes and information in his almanac that are still used today! Quotes you may remember of “early to bed and early to rise makes a man, healthy, wealthy and wise, or “No gains without pains” and ‘a penny saved is a penny earned.’”
It has been suggested that all three Almanacs were based on predicting the weather, The Old Farmers Almanac, the survivor, has a weather accuracy rate of 80%. That 80% is said to be based on a secret formula involving historical patterns, lunar cycles and sunspots. Sounds pretty complicated but one would wonder what role the current climate change promoters would play. Satellite data, National Center for Environmental Information, and even counting the polar bears and the melting ice caps could play a role in possibly predicting the long term weather forecast for the Old Farmers Almanac. Bottom line, believe and follow the Old Farmers Almanac as life is subject to change just like weather. Roll with the punches, and adjust your sails when needed. Consulting this informational book can answer many questions and in turn create new questions. And yes, our current farmers still do use The Old Farmers Almanac to predict the growing season along with astronomical information and weather predictions. This booklet of less than 300 pages is so chock full of different subjects it could be used as a learning device in schools. Definitely an eye-opener!
Schoharie Agriculture Expo on March 3, 2026, come join us The expo will be held in the Cobleskill SUNY Bouck Hall from 8 AM- 3:30.
Have a great week!
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