[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 143 (Wednesday, September 21, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S5950]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 200TH EDITION OF THE FARMERS' ALMANAC

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, since the first edition in 1818, the 
Farmers' Almanac has become an American institution, an informative and 
entertaining mix of weather, agriculture, humor, and common sense. With 
the 2017 issue now in print, it is a pleasure to recognize the 200th 
edition of this venerable publication and to celebrate Maine's 
remarkable Geiger family that makes it possible.
  For its first 137 years, the Farmers' Almanac was published in 
Morristown, NJ. In 1955, Ray Geiger, who became the almanac's sixth 
editor in 1934, moved operations to Lewiston, ME, believing--quite 
correctly--that my State's New England heritage better reflected the 
publication's guiding ethic of sustainable, simple living.
  Ray Geiger led the Farmers' Almanac for 60 years, its longest serving 
editor. Upon his passing in 1994, his son Peter took the reins after 15 
years as associate editor. That same year, Sandi Duncan was named 
managing editor, the first woman almanac editor in American history.
  Under this leadership team, circulation has grown from 86,000 in the 
1930s to more than 4 million today. In addition, the almanac's timeless 
qualities have stepped into the age of technology with an engaging, 
interactive website and a Facebook page with more than 1 million 
followers.
  Readers enjoy the Farmers' Almanac for its humorous essays, trivia, 
and advice on everything from gardening to relationships, but the long-
range weather forecasts remain its hallmark. The time-tested, highly 
secret mathematical and astronomical formula produces 16-month 
forecasts for seven different U.S. climate zones with a significant 
record of accuracy. In fact, the CEO of a major airline recently 
confirmed that Farmers' Almanac forecasts are factored into his 
company's winter contingency planning.
  From the first edition to today, Farmers' Almanac editors have worn 
the honorary title of Philom--for Philomath, a lover of learning. That 
is an apt title for readers as well as editors, as every edition of the 
almanac is a mini-encyclopedia of American history, natural science, 
and a host of other disciplines.
  It is a particularly apt title for Peter Geiger, a great champion of 
education who founded the Adopt-A-School movement in Maine in 1988 and 
who launched a successful program with Maine elementary and middle 
schools to encourage and develop young writers. His company provides 
college scholarships to Maine students, and Peter serves as a member 
and former chairman of our State's board of education. In 1991, he was 
named the 618th of President George H. W. Bush's 1,000 Points of Light.
  The Geiger family and their company advance the Maine business 
tradition of service to others by supporting a wide range of civic and 
charitable endeavors, from the arts to health care to homeless youth. 
The New Beginnings Ann Geiger Center in Lewiston, ME, named in honor of 
Peter's mother, provides vital education and skills-development 
opportunities for homeless and neglected youth. Ray Geiger Elementary 
School in that same city recognizes the family's many contributions.
  The special 200th edition of the Farmers' Almanac includes a 
celebratory section of vintage articles that take readers through 
nearly two centuries of American lore, from how to quiet a fussy baby 
with molasses and feathers to the art of kissing and maintaining 
household tranquility. Just as important, it stands as proof that hard 
work, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a commitment to giving back are 
the key ingredients of success. I congratulate the Geiger family and 
the Farmers' Almanac for this milestone achievement and wish them all 
the best in the years to come.

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