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Old Farmer's Almanac Artificial Intelligence Statement

keyboard with AI
Written By: Carol Connare Editor-in-Chief, The Old Farmer's Almanac

The Old Farmer’s Almanac has adapted to myriad changes in the way periodicals are published during our 234-year history, from the improvement of printing presses to the advent of typewriters and the internet. The latest innovation we are weathering is artificial intelligence.

The editors at the Almanac are wordsmiths who believe in the power and sanctity of original journalism. The word artificial has multiple meanings, among them: fake, imitation, and sham. We believe our publications have stood the test of time due to our authenticity and our embodiment of the opposite of artificiality.

Our content has always been genuine and bona fide, as it will continue to be. We guarantee to our readers that our words are 100% produced by humans. We employ writers and artists to create unique content for our publications. While we can’t guarantee that the images created by our artists are free of AI manipulation, we stand firm on our promise that none of our words have been artificially generated by AI, which relies on pilfering work created by real people and using it without their consent, without payment, and without the courtesy of acknowledgment.

Artificial intelligence is a powerful tool for synthesizing, summarizing, and organizing. As an employee-owned enterprise that’s survived longer than any other publication in North America, due in part to changing with the times, we welcome new tools to make us more efficient in our work. However, we will not use artificial means to produce the fact-checked, enjoyable content that our loyal readers have relied on since our inception.

Our founder, Robert B. Thomas, wrote in 1828 about his belief that The Old Farmer’s Almanac yields “to none of its predecessors or competitors in the public’s estimation, or in the character of its selections or the quantity of original matter it contains.”

To our loyal patrons, we promise to continue this tradition of trustworthiness and authenticity, of being “useful with a pleasant degree of humor,” while producing reliable, genuine content every year.

About The Author

Carol Connare

Carol Connare

Editor-in-Chief, The Old Farmer's Almanac

As the 14th Editor-in-Chief of The Old Farmer’s Almanac, Carol Connare works with writers and other editors to develop “new, useful, and entertaining matter” for the annual Almanac as well as books, calendars, and other publications.

Read more from Carol Connare

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Comments

<span>Charlie K</span> Tue, 12/09/2025 - 15:08
While I love the sentiment of this statement, it's hard to find it believable. One of the first things I saw this year on your website was some awful AI generated artwork for the Old Farmer's Almanac Gardening Club. This is not simply "manipulated" by AI, but rather completely generated by it. If something as blatant as that was allowed to slip through, I have to believe that there is a lack of oversight in regards to all AI-generated content in your publications. "[AI] relies on pilfering work created by real people and using it without their consent, without payment, and without the courtesy of acknowledgment." Does this not also apply to visual artists? Those are your words. I was looking forward to continuing my family's long-standing tradition of purchasing a yearly almanac, but I will have to pass for the foreseeable future due to this.
<span>Joe Bills, Ass…</span> Thu, 12/11/2025 - 14:27
Hi Charlie, and thanks for your feedback. This is an important issue for us. We are continually barraged with A.I. these days, as the technology advances and artists themselves grapple with its uses. We pride ourselves on being a team of human editors who work with human writers and artists to create the best possible content for our readers. But A.I. is everywhere, and our conversations about how and how not to use it will continue. The statement we issued was in reference to our editorial policies, and we stand by those convictions. The graphic that you mentioned was created by our sales team, for marketing purposes--and for what it is worth, I personally agree that we can probably do better. Your comment will spark further conversation amongst our teams, for sure, about where A.I. is and isn't ok. We do hope you'll reconsider and keep that family tradition alive.
<span>Necaruso</span> Wed, 09/02/2026 - 09:52
The AI generated images in the children's Almanac are so appalling (and I have to believe that the editorial content in there was also AI-touched) that I refuse to buy another one of the children's almanacs. May I respectfully suggest: you have such a massive backlog of material both editorial and visual, would you consider reusing old woodcut, hand-drawn, and so on illustrations from past almanacs before you resort to AI?
<span>Margie S.</span> Sun, 11/09/2025 - 23:41
Thank you for your honesty. It is muchly appreciated. AI is destroying minds & lives. Sadly, many believe fake over truth.
<span>Ann Bianchini</span> Sat, 11/08/2025 - 16:34
Thank you!!!!! I think AI will destroy our earth