The Other Almanac is a reimagining of The Old Farmer’s Almanac, updated for today’s world. The original Almanac is the oldest continuously printed publication in the US. It comprises a popular mix of ancient wisdom, garden advice, poems, jokes, how-to’s, recipes, and calendars. It is, however, still tailored to its traditional audience: largely rural, white and conservative. It eschews stances on anything overtly progressive, be it political, ecological, or social.
The Other Almanac puts right these omissions. Whilst retaining the quirkiness and liveliness of the original, it aims to bridge the urban/rural divide in America, delving into issues of politics and culture that unite us all. Its pages are filled with buoyant contributions from climate organizers, indigenous activists, migrant farmworkers, historians, scientists, medicine makers, incarcerated painters, astrologers, lawyers, borderland midwives and more. Original, full color art surrounds their writing, creating an inviting, accessible yearbook that will entertain and educate a wide new readership for an age-old chronicle.
With contributions by: 10th Floor Studio, Andrea Aliseda, Hangama Amiri, Daniel Barreto, Hannah Beerman, Bread and Puppet Press, Chloë Boxer, Adrienne Maree Brown, Veladya Chapman, Francesca DiMattio, Esther Elia, Amaryllis R. Flowers, Food With Fam, Sophia Giovannitti, Jennifer Givhan, Kirk Gordon, Yaku Perez Guartambel, Alexis Pauline Gumbs, Dyani White Hawk, Who Tattoo, Alfredo Jaar, Jessie Kindig, Keegan Dakkar Lomanto, Chris Lloyd, Jumana Manna, Bill McKibben, Philip Poon, Carla J. Simmons, Dylan Smith, Lily Consuelo, Tyrrell Tapaha, Saporta Tagiuri, and Tania Willard.
180 pages, illustrated throughout • Paperback ISBN 978-1-68219-421-8
Ana Ratner is an artist and plant enthusiast. Her sculptural work spans various mediums and is inspired by furniture design, experimental tableware, and traditional craft. She teaches botanical workshops at schools, gardens, galleries, and museums. She is the founder of Little Broad Studio, a home goods and herbal shop, and currently co-runs The Krumville Schoolhouse, an educational and event space, and Sister Divine’s Farm (and farmstand) in Krumville, NY.