Vermont Almanac to End Its Seventh Edition Plans

The group completed six books in six years and relied on about 70 writers for each edition.

The Vermont Almanac will stop after six editions, with its creators saying the nonprofit project has reached the end of its current run. The team behind the annual publication said it no longer has the energy needed to continue producing the book in the same form.

The project was built as a full-color volume of nearly 300 pages that highlighted rural Vermont through scenes of farms, wildlife, artisans and local history. Over the years, it became a statewide effort rooted entirely in Vermont, from the writers who contributed to the production work done by printers in the state.

Editor Dave Mance said the group completed six books in six years and relied on about 70 writers for each edition. He said the publication moved more than 40,000 copies before the team decided the original version had reached its natural conclusion.

Mance added that the book was meant to reflect a version of Vermont shaped by the people who live there, even as opinions differ widely about the state’s identity and direction. He said the project tried to capture what supporters saw as the best of Vermont during its six-year span.

He also said discussions are underway with several outside organizations about possibly transferring the project to a new editorial team, which could allow the Almanac to return in a different form. People interested in helping continue the publication are being encouraged to contact the organization directly.