Archive for May, 2009

31 May

What Do Social Networking Sites Have in Common

The number of social networking sites has increased rapidly and the vast majority is simply an off shoot of MySpace or Facebook. As a result, people don’t use it just to stay in touch with friends but to make new ones as long as they have the same interests, political views and activities.

As you can see, social networking sites cater to a diverse audience. This is why some specialize in business, religion, sex and a few other things. Each one allows you to post blogs, photos and videos. At the same time, your friends can post comments.

This begins by becoming a member. Each person has to fill up the form and answer a few questions. This normally includes what will be your username, age, gender, location, interests and an ?about me? section. You are not required but encouraged to upload a photo so people will be able to put a face to the name.

When it is finished, you get to choose the visibility of your profile. Can anyone see it or will this be limited only to your friends. The social networking site will ensure that your decision in this matter is respected.

Eventually your list of contacts will grow and this in essence is what social networking is all about. Some of those individuals are people you really know while the rest are acquaintances which could develop into something more in the future. You can leave messages when your contact is offline similar to webmail which many of us are already used to.

You can see that there’s practical value in learning more about Social Networking. Can you think of ways to apply what’s been covered so far?

But not social networking sites started this way. This just evolved later on and one good example is Classmates which was initially designed to help you find old colleagues from secondary school and college.

In order to compete with other social networking sites, developers have to come up with better features which the others don’t offer. Some examples of these include built-blogging, mobile interactions, RSS feeds, URL blocklist, application sharing, multiple language support, smarty templates, article rating, multiple authors and a lot more.

You just have to try each one to see if you are happy with their service. If you are not, then you can always close your account and open a new one somewhere else.

Despite all the fanfare, one thing that social networking sites are greatly concerned about is privacy primarily concerning the usage of the younger users. This is because they may be naïve enough to meet people on the net and sadly they become victims of a heinous crime. While most developers have taken steps to try and prevent this, the parents of those who use it need to do their share as well by monitoring how their kids use it and activating the security settings.

Social networking sites regardless of how big or small they are now have a lot in common. What distinguishes them is their target audience and what other features they may offer that will make you decide to sign up with them.

You can also read reviews or ask your friends about what social networking sites are they members of since you want to be in the same group. If you can’t decide, you can open several accounts and just take time to update and use them.

Now you can understand why there’s a growing interest in Social Networking. When people start looking for more information about Social Networking, you’ll be in a position to meet their needs.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, who just joined this Free Website Traffic generation site

30 May

Solving stuttering

Have you ever wondered if what you know about Stuttering is accurate? Consider the following paragraphs and compare what you know to the latest info on Stuttering.

We often encounter in our lives people who have speech impediments. But the most common among these speech impediments is stuttering, a condition which, is caused by stress and anxiety starting from the person’s developmental stages. In fact, studies show that more and more adults and kids suffer from speech impediments such as stuttering because it is not addressed properly during the early stages of growth.

As these kids grow up, stuttering becomes a problem because it hinders them from communicating properly not only with their peers but to people across all age brackets. People who stutter often times find it hard to communicate with people that can speak normally because they are afraid of rejection, it’s up to people who are lucky enough to speak clearly to understand these people who are not as good as them with words.

Day-to-day struggle due to stuttering

Stuttering is indeed a very serious problem for young and old people. With stuttering problems, simple daily tasks like saying their names when somebody asks for it, answering the telephone for a call or making a phone call, giving out directions for people asking, asking for specific instructions, and even ordering a meal from a fast-food store can be hugely disappointing and frustrating.

People who suffer from stuttering experience being ostracized in the society just because they cannot speak well. This inability of self expression makes other people irritated at times so the tendency is for the stutter to veer away from the crowd as much as possible. In a school setting, studies show that other children who don’t have problems in speech are bullying almost 90 percent of kids who are stuttering.

This bullying happens everywhere?inside the classroom during a recitation, inside the canteen during recess or snack break, within the campus during break hours, and even outside the school when classes are over. This is because many kids find stuttering funny and they would want to make fun of stutters without realizing its adverse effects on their peers.

I trust that what you’ve read so far has been informative. The following section should go a long way toward clearing up any uncertainty that may remain.

In work places, adults who stutter also experience the same kind of exclusion. Many people don’t usually mingle with stutters because they feel that it’s such a waste of time talking to somebody who cannot express him or herself freely and fluidly. The tendency is that the person who suffers from stuttering will become an introvert, avoiding crowds and people just to be spared from being teased and ridiculed.

What the society can do

The components of the society can play a major role in solving the stuttering problems among kids and adults. First of all, the parents themselves can greatly help their kids overcome this condition by giving them guidance and all kinds of support that they need. Parents must make their kids understand that stuttering does not make them less of a person and that they should not feel intimated by others.

Parents must also emphasize that a child’s dreams, desires, and talents should determine the focus of their future and not their stuttering. When parents motivate their children to dream high and have high hopes for the future, when they tell their kids that even the most successful people are sick in a way just like them?the kids will be encouraged to do better and be better in all aspects of their lives.

For teachers, they should always make the child feel secure and understood whenever he or she is inside the classroom. They should avoid pressuring the child who is stuttering because the more pressure he or she feels the bigger room for mistake there is. Teachers should always act as the second parents of children in school, providing them all the support, care, and understanding they need.

The society at large can also greatly help people who are suffering from stuttering by giving them proper respect and treating them as normal people who equally deserve the rights and freedom they enjoy.

Don’t limit yourself by refusing to learn the details about Stuttering. The more you know, the easier it will be to focus on what’s important.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, who just joined this Free Website Traffic generation site

29 May

Worm Farming with Mealworms

The following article includes pertinent information that may cause you to reconsider what you thought you understood. The most important thing is to study with an open mind and be willing to revise your understanding if necessary.

Mealworms are scavengers. It doesn’t necessarily make them a bad worm, but it does help to understand them. If you want to start a mealworm farm, you can find starters in damp, spoiled grain and grain products. Perhaps you have access to a grain bin of some sort, a grain processing plant, or can get infested cereal from a cereal factory.

The dark mealworm is the species found throughout the United States. Anyone who has found them in their flour or corn meal would not consider them friends! But in this instance, you can turn an enemy into a friend and gain a profit from the experience.

The trick to worm farming of any kind is to start small and work your way up. You have to learn your limits and gain experience, find a market for your mealworms, and become educated about your product. But anything worth having is worth working for.

People have been known to use the mealworm as fish bait or food for their birds or reptiles. They’re people food in some places!

Is everything making sense so far? If not, I’m sure that with just a little more reading, all the facts will fall into place.

One interesting fact about mealworm farming is that powdery residues can build-up in the containers. This residue, also known as frass, contains mealworm eggs. You can separate this frass with a sifter of some sort once a month, keep it in a separate container, and feed it with raw pieces of potatoes or bran. It takes a month for the eggs to hatch.

Females are capable of producing up to 500 eggs, but the adults only live a short time of 3 months at most. They get their fluids from wet fruits like apples or over-ripe bananas and vegetables such as the potato or carrot. They also lay eggs on these foods. You can keep them alive and dormant at temperatures over 40 degrees. They prefer warm environments of 80 degrees to grow and change. So, don’t plan on them reproducing at the lower temperatures.

Did you know you can eat mealworms raw and live? Ok, it’s not your average meal, but it’s healthy and is encouraged in other countries. If you want the benefits, but can’t stomach the thought, maybe you could try baking them or turning them into flour to use in other recipes. Just spread them on a lightly greased baking sheet and cook for up to 3 hours at 200 degrees. They’re done when brittle. Toss them into a blender or grinder until they resemble wheat germ. If nothing else, you could safely serve them to that irritating cousin just for a laugh. It can be your little secret!

Meal worm farming is one of the cheapest worm farming you can enter. It’s a great way to experiment and can be a safe way to feed your pets something natural and healthy. You could add the worms to your dog or cats diet by using the flour to make your own dog or cat food. Safe, natural, and healthy is the wave of the future.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, who just joined this Free Website Traffic generation site

27 May

What About Roses Called Climbers?

Have you ever wondered what exactly is up with Roses? This informative report can give you an insight into everything you’ve ever wanted to know about Roses.

Some say roses aren’t climbers by nature and must be taught. Just think….a climber that can grow to forty feet up a tree, yes, it’s possible! If you prefer a smaller version, there is also the miniature climber to consider. Any rose is beautiful, but you might say climbers have a farther “reach”.

Suppose I give you an image flower lovers can appreciate? Imagine a field such as seen under the warm California sunshine. It’s a grapevine field, with rows and rows to fill. Now substitute the grapevines with climbing roses! What a vision that would be to behold.

However, you must choose your climber with care, for some are only able to tolerate small amounts of sunshine and will bloom only with the proper amount of sunlight. You’ll need to keep it properly pruned for the better health of the plant. It will need plenty of room to spread its spectacular beauty. Some climbers grow taller and larger depending upon their climate. You’ll need access to the taller parts of the plant. You may decide to shape it.

Once you begin to move beyond basic background information, you begin to realize that there’s more to Roses than you may have first thought.

Some questions to consider are: ‘how often will you want the climber to bloom’, ‘will you want a certain color theme among your climbers’, ‘would you need to treat it for bugs native to your area’.

A climber and a rambler are different types of rose plants. Climbers need to be tied to a structure to maintain stability. They have heavier vines, or canes if you will, than the rambler. The rambler’s vines are more flexible and must be trained to grow over an object.

As with many flowers, the best time to plant a climber is at least 6 weeks before the first hard frost or in the spring or fall when the weather is cooler, but not wintry. You could start the plant indoors and then move it to the garden. Build a teepee of wooden poles; make sure the height of the legs will suit your container; wind nylon wire or string in a criss-cross fashion around the poles to give the plant places to grab as it works its way up the poles.
An easy idea for use with climbers is a trellis, which is made with either lumber or plastic. Although, personally, I would think the plastic surface would be harder for the plant to grab and hold. You could substitute nylon netting in place of the string or wire.

If you have little ones who want to help garden, you could buy popsicle sticks for them to glue together in lattice fashion for use with your climber. If you are comfortable with the art work of a child, you could have he or she paint the container and put their own pictures and letting on it. One idea that may be of interest to moms or grandmothers is to allow the child their own climbing garden area. It would teach them the wonders of the rose on a level they could accept more readily.

Take time to consider the points presented above. What you learn may help you overcome your hesitation to take action.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, who just joined this Free Website Traffic generation site

27 May

Recommended Fragrant Flowers

If you have even a passing interest in the topic of Roses, then you should take a look at the following information. This enlightening article presents some of the latest news on the subject of Roses.

When sending flowers, fragrant flowers are usually at the top of the list. Fragrant flowers just keep on giving long after the initial flower gift is received. Who can argue that flowers are so delightful and make our spirits rise for so many different reasons. When considering sending flowers or planting a garden, choosing fragrant flowers will definitely be a nice addition. Everyone has their favorite fragrant flower but the list below might offer you a good idea of the most fragrant.

Roses: Roses are the irresistible fragrant flower. Who can resist the temptation of the first thing being is to smell the intricate rose? All roses are not the same so be sure to use your sniffer and find the fragrance you like best.
.Sweet Alyssum: If you do not readily think of sweet alyssum when you think of fragrant flowers, try putting some by your window or door. These dainty flowers can be planted as ground cover or potted in a plant and given as a gift. Wherever these fragrant flowers are, you will catch their delicate scent. These are a lovely, fragrant addition to your garden.
Carnations: Carnations have a very distinctive fragrance that is spicy and sweet. It is a fragrance that once you have smelled you will always recognize it’s odor. Carnations have a wonderful lingering that will fill your house. Carnations also seem to last longer than other cut flowers.

Gardenias: Gardenias, what is there to say about such a beautifully fragrant, gorgeous flower? Gardenias are all alike so a container full of these fragrant treasures are “oh so heavenly.” This lovely flower is always a great choice!
Freesia: This very sweet flower is very pleasing to our senses and is used in room spray, candles and hair supplies. Freesia is a very popular scent and always a safe choice.

Jasmine: Jasmine, oh how sweet it is! This delicate flower packs a powerful punch. This adorable, tiny flower is filled with exquisite perfume and is used in candles, incense and many perfume products. Needless to say, Jasmine is a thumbs up all the way around.

Knowledge can give you a real advantage. To make sure you’re fully informed about Roses, keep reading.

Lilies: The lilies make a beautiful, fragrant, large bouquet of flowers and are especially given at Easter. Entering a room where lilies are present, you are greeted with an aroma that is quite notable and lingering. Lilies make a beautiful centerpiece and have special memories attached to them within most families.
Sweet Peas: Sweet peas are a generational favorite and have graced many gardens with their powerful fragrance. These delicate flowers are adored for their lovely pastels and the sweetness in the air. A simple flower, with a simple name, with anything but a simple fragrance.

Lavender: Lavender flowers have been a long time favorite due to their powerful and recognizable fragrance. When planted along the front porch or in window boxes, the sweet and spicy fragrance will greet you in your coming and you’re going. Add this lovely scented flower to a drawer, pillow or just wherever you long to smell this delectable fragrance.
Honeysuckle: The distinct fragrance of the honeysuckle is undeniably succulent. Kick off your shoes and lie near a honey suckle bush and be caught up its fragrance. Once planted, this hardy flowering bush needs little care and will take off in growth. Year after year, it will produce the pretty, colorful, fragrant flowers and will be a country style addition to a down home bouquet.

Your favorite fragrant choices may not be the same as on this list but hopefully this will be a guide to inspire you to add the charming and fragrant flowers to your gardens or ideas of flowers to give. Plant or give what you like and your choice will not only touch your heart but the hearts of others.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, who just joined this Free Website Traffic generation site

26 May

Why You Should Enjoy the Famous Yellow Rose

Who hasn’t heard of the song about ‘The Yellow Rose of Texas’? The yellow rose is one of the most popular roses in history. The song, however, was actually about a lady a Civil War soldier is trying to find. Dolly Parton also wrote a song titled ‘Yellow Roses’ about a romance with someone who both began and ended the relationship with a yellow rose.

There are companies named for the yellow rose, such as Yellow Rose Products, Yellow Rose Enterprises and Yellow Rose Gifts. There are books written, such as the Yellow Rose Bride, A Texas Sky, the Yellow Rose Trilogy and a series called The Yellow Rose Mysteries. There is yellow rose white gold jewelry. A concealer has been made called the Yellow Rose of Texas, which hides imperfections of the skin.

The yellow rose has been said to symbolize friendship, caring, freedom, dying love, and platonic love. In German-speaking countries, the yellow rose means jealousy or infidelity. It is appropriate to send yellow roses to graduates, Texans, new mothers, and newlyweds. If you send red roses mixed with yellow roses, it stands for happiness and celebration. A single rose of any color is a sign of thanks. A safe idea is to send a note with the yellow rose, explaining your intentions!
In the 18th century, yellow roses were discovered growing wild in parts of the Middle East. The first yellow roses found did not have a sweet smelling fragrance. Cross-breeding was a friend to the yellow rose’s scent. You can buy organically grown yellow roses, which would give support to environmentally-friendly farming.

If you base what you do on inaccurate information, you might be unpleasantly surprised by the consequences. Make sure you get the whole Roses story from informed sources.

Yellow roses will bring a touch of sunshine to any flower arrangement. You won’t be disappointed in the addition to your flower bed. They add elegance to any décor in a home. The yellow rose is a pleasant image on items of clothing, bedding, curtains, and so on.

The yellow rose has brought financial gain to Texas by association with the song title. It has benefited Texas for years by way of its commercial value. But the yellow rose is certainly not limited to Texas or Texas products and services. It is available in many areas of the world. People in countries that have no connection to Texas have enjoyed the silent, quiet, soothing beauty of the yellow rose.

On the downside, there is a link between yellow roses and blackspot. Blackspot is a leaf disease that defoliates and kills. Hybrid yellow roses have been bred stronger and more resistant to blackspot, however, resistant roses still need care to avoid disease. Also, the area makes a difference in how well a yellow rose will be able to fend off disease. A warm and humid climate will be more inviting to the disease. There are sprays available to help guard against blackspot, such as apple cider vinegar spray. Wild herbs like stinky nettle, horsetails, and comfrey are also used by some as a spray for blackspot. Whatever the case, if you truly want yellow roses, where there’s a will, there’s a way!

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, who just launched this List Building Guide, on how to build a 1000 member list in a month

26 May

Worm Farming History

In today’s world, it seems that almost any topic is open for debate. While I was gathering facts for this article, I was quite surprised to find some of the issues I thought were settled are actually still being openly discussed.

Worm composting or worm farming is a process where worms are used to consume organic waste. Their waste or castings are used as soil fertilizer or conditioner. Vermicomposting is another term for worm farming.

This process is very important when processing left-over food or kitchen waste. Worms can eat more than half of their body size, and they eat the waste so quickly that there are no problems with the odor of the food scraps. That is why worm farming is best used for recycling food, yard and paper wastes. The wastes coming from the worms are used to grow plants.

These legless creatures have been around for such a long time and have been helping the environment for decades. For most of the time we have neglected them, aside from instances in our youth when we study them. While others under the process of worm farming or worm composting, were able to put these guys into business.

Worms played a big role in making big lands fertile. In Nile, during 51 from 30 B.C. in time of the rule of Cleopatra VII, Queen of Egypt, export of worms was banned. During that period, those who export and remove worms from their habitat receive death as their punishment. That is why Nile, until today, has the most fertile lands.

Worms have aerating and fertilizing the soil for such a long time. Charles Darwin had a study about his observations of the actions and habits of worms. Through his work, which was published, he claimed that worms are the most important creatures on earth. Plowing, which he also considered as the most important invention of our time, was in the same concept of how worms work. It looses up the soil to aerate it and make sure that the necessary minerals needed for plant growth reaches the plant roots.

Once you begin to move beyond basic background information, you begin to realize that there’s more to Worm Farming than you may have first thought.

When Industrial revolution came in 1800s, natural farming were cast aside. Efforts were directed into making sure that there are more products being harvested. So, how can that be possible? This paved the way for looking chemical agriculture enhancements to yield more growth.

As early as 1927, there were already discoveries on how to develop and produce nitrophosphate. This is used as nitrogen fertilizer to the plants. Yes, these fertilizers indeed developed and produced more crops, but then started the question about the long term effects of these chemicals. Because of constant chemical supply being poured into the soil, earthworms started to die.

These worms once considered to be helpful in making the soil fertile are considered pests and should be stopped. The decrease in the earthworm population led to the fall of the fertility of land.

But the people started to remember the past and the environment again. Currently, there are efforts to encourage most producers to do organic farming. But because chemical and artificial fertilizers are easier to use and more available, most of the farmers still use chemical fertilizers and pesticides. But there are still people who would like to get the soil back to its previous condition. Worm farming or the worm composting went back to its track. This process became a commercial one in 1975. Currently, there are worm farmers who sell worms and organic wastes to organic farmers and gardeners.

Worm farms may not that financially stable and may experience ups and downs in its market, but it is significantly saying that there re still individuals who believed that worms can still do and should do as assigned by Mother Nature

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, who just launched this List Building Guide, on how to build a 1000 member list in a month

24 May

One Harm to Your Worm Farm: Predators

The more you understand about any subject, the more interesting it becomes. As you read this article you’ll find that the subject of Worm Farming is certainly no exception.

This maybe annoying to accept, when you’re a worm farm keeper, but the animals you intend to supply with your worms may just be the ones you need to shield your worms from. You built your worm farm essentially to rake in some profits. So simply sitting by doing nothing, letting those animals eat away your produce, just won’t do. You want to keep coming with a sure and steady level of produce to sell to people and establishments needing those worms.

These animals, when fed and kept on the same farm as the worms in your worm farm, maybe affecting your worm produce in ways you hardly notice or would like to control. Various birds love to eat worms, so do foxes, snakes, toads, hedgehogs, slugs, leaches, beetles, and many parasites. So that’s the first worry when protecting your worms.

Another worry here concerns what you feed your worms. These would be the manure you probably get from livestock farms. You use those manure to feed your worms. The problem lies in the fact that those livestock ingest some form of medication, which, if you don’t know about, may negatively affect your worms. Those medications may not always be cleanly digested by livestock, and so the residue stacks up in the manure, which then goes to your worms.

Another problem with manure feeds include cluster flies and mites which prey on your worms. So you’d better be in the know about which livestock farms you can trust when getting manure as worm-feeds.

How can you put a limit on learning more? The next section may contain that one little bit of wisdom that changes everything.

Related to this is when children have access to your worm farms. Not only may their inquisitive hands mishandle the worms, these children may also be affected by the left-over medication in the manure you feed your worms with. You’d best be putting up large signs to keep children away from your worm farm.

As for your worm bins, you need good drainage, so that the water gets replaced. Stale water tends to be contaminated over time, essentially harming your worms. You’d also need to be careful about drainage material you use. Some use shreds of cardboard, but some of these cardboards may have been contaminated by pesticides, which will in turn come into contact with your worms.

Another cost-affecting factor is which other predator consume the feeds you give to your worms. Worms tend to eat a lot, and if the feed supply allotted to them gets consumed by some other predator, then the worms may not be eating as much as they should, or as you expect them. They’d suffer and may be leave their designated worm beds. Even if the predator is not after the worms themselves, the effect is the same: you may suffer a reduction in your worm produce. One specific problem here is the presence of raccoons on your farm, because these critters tend to find their way into hidden containers and can open up latches.

For those who have birds on the same farm when you have your worms, there’s no problem with these birds so long as you can find ways to keep them uninterested in your worms. So you might as well find ways to feed these birds in areas away from your worms, to prevent them from being curious and in the end finding your worms and eating them.

The last kind of predators neither consume worm feeds nor live on your farm. If your worm farm is found in or is located in a densely populated area, thieves and trespassers or nosy neighbors. So you will have to be sure your doors are not that easy to lock-pick, and that your fences discourage passers-by from simply jumping over them so they could snatch some wriggleys from your worm farm.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, who just launched this List Building Guide, on how to build a 1000 member list in a month

23 May

Are Portuguese Water Dogs Hypoallergenic?

Portuguese Water Dogs have short hair that does not shed and is considered a working dog, meaning that it is a breed that needs to stay busy. This breed is considered a hypoallergenic dog. Traditionally used to assist in fishing expeditions, the Portuguese Water Dog is now kept as a house pet. While this breed is not as common as other breeds, if you want to dog that is hypoallergenic, lively, and enjoys companionship, then this breed may be the one for you.

Since the Portuguese Water Dog is not bred as often as other breeds of hypoallergenic dog, you will have to search for a breeder online, in the newspaper, or by calling breeders in your area until you find one. Generally happy dogs, the PWD needs to stay busy or it will get bored. You should have plenty of toys for it to play with and you may want to consider crate training when you are not at home. This means that the dog will stay in a crate when you go out so it does not destroy your home. When the PWD gets bored or lonely, it will chew on anything it finds.

Crate training should begin right after you bring the dog home. By placing a blanket, toys and water into the crate, you will make the dog comfortable while you are away. You should not use the crate when punishing the dog or it will not want to go in it when you leave for the day. After training the dog, you will have to keep up the routine. This will give the dog structure and will also salvage your possessions. Keeping the dog in a crate when you are not at home will also reduce allergens.

Portuguese Water Dogs need to be groomed every two months or so. There are two patterns that most groomers follow, the retriever cut and the lion cut. The retriever cut means that the hair is cut evenly on the body. The lion cut leaves that front half of the dog’s body covered with hair, while hair on the hind legs is cut short. You should take the dog to have his hair groomed if you are not comfortable cutting it yourself.

Is everything making sense so far? If not, I’m sure that with just a little more reading, all the facts will fall into place.

If you are considering buying a PWD, you should be prepared to have constant companionship. These breeds need to be walked and they need to be entertained throughout the day. If you need to travel on vacation or for work, you should board the dog so it will not be lonely. Portuguese Water Dogs typically live between twelve and fifteen years.

Portuguese Water Dogs are easy going and get along with children and most adults. If you are looking for a breed that does not shed and will fit in with your family, then the PWD is the breed for you. While most Portuguese Water Dogs are black, some are white or a mix of both. Their hair is curly or wavy and similar to that of the standard poodle.

Now you can be a confident expert on Hypoallergenic Dogs. OK, maybe not an expert. But you should have something to bring to the table next time you join a discussion on Hypoallergenic Dogs.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, who just launched this List Building Guide, on how to build a 1000 member list in a month

22 May

What Do You Need to Know About Worm Farming?

The only way to keep up with the latest about Worm Farming is to constantly stay on the lookout for new information. If you read everything you find about Worm Farming, it won’t take long for you to become an influential authority.

Maybe you want to try something different, something unique to your area, or just something to gross out your neighbors! Worm farming is educational, beneficial to nature, and has a lot of potential in the market if you know how to push your product.

An earthworm can lay 900 eggs a year. That’s a lot of eggs. They can produce CO2. That’s a positive thing. Their digestive system helps neutralize acidic soil or soil with a high alkaline level. That’s a gardener’s friend. Worms are a source of food for other animals. A natural food that is safe and healthy. So, how can you go wrong with a good worm farm?!

An interesting and strange thing to know about worm farming is that many years ago Cleopatra declared earthworms to be sacred, gods of fertility. A little old earthworm was protected and cherished, death to the person who caused harm to the earthworm.

America is not so kind to the lowly earthworm. Usually it is forgotten, ignored, or used for bait or gardening purposes. Some other cultures use it for food, which could be considered sacred to a starving person!

Now that we’ve covered those aspects of Worm Farming, let’s turn to some of the other factors that need to be considered.

A healthy thing you need to know about worm farming is that if you want to lower your cholesterol level, go eat worms. Seriously, earthworms can reduce your cholesterol level because they contain Omega 3 oil. You are probably saying that you’d rather have a high cholesterol level. But what else are you putting in your system on a daily basis? To a vegetarian, meat eaters are the sick people. To the meat eater, only eating vegetables can seem crazy. So, who’s to say eating worms is wrong, especially considering the health benefits. They’re good protein, less fattening, cheap to produce and cost a lot less than steak! If you prefer a sophisticated term for this oddity, its scientific term is entomophagy.

Worm farming is usually done for reasons other than eating, of course. Those worms in the bait shop or in the pet store have to come from somewhere. Now you know where they came from. Worm farms do have their risks, of course, as does any business. Making money with them is not necessarily easy. You have to know your worms, know your market, and know how to manage your money.

Feeding your worms doesn’t cost much for a small worm farm. They eat dirt, decayed leaves, animal manure, living organisms found in the soil, vegetables and fruits, non-glossy paper products, grains, grass clippings, and wood pieces. Just make sure that whatever you feed them has no residues of any type of poisons.

You can start a worm farm in a simple container with some dirt, holes for air and drainage, moisture, and food scraps. Large containers will need some sort of sifting tray for when you are ready to harvest your worm crop. You may want to capture the drainage to use for tea for your plants. Once you see how the process works on a small scale, you can decide whether or not it’s something you would want to become further involved with as a substantial business.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, who just launched this List Building Guide, on how to build a 1000 member list in a month