Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Familiarize yourself with the land and the surrounding climate. Study the topographical features of the land. Dig a small pit and get some soil samples around the farm. Vegetation. Talk to other farmers as well as the owner that is selling the land (if you are buying a farm rather than inheriting one from your parents or grandparents) for information on the kinds of crops and plants that they grew there, when it was seeded, when they were sprayed and when the crop was harvested. Go to a local agricultural (or county extension) office located in your county, state or province to look at the different reports onthe different climatic conditions that have happened over the years for the area you will be farming in. Do some research on climate history of your area.

Answer: The land is the foundation of how, where, and what you farm.The climate also dictates what you can raise and how it will affect you and your operation. Hilly terrain is more suited for livestock raising than crop production, whereas gently rolling or almost flat is suited for crops. Soil samples that can be sent in to a lab can tell you the type of soil (silt, sand, or clay, or a combination of any two or three), and quality (organic matter, organic carbon content, nutrient details [primarily nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur], salinity and pH levels). A soil pit or even data done on previous surveying of soil types can tell you depth of soil horizons and especially for crop growers, the depth of the first horizon which where most of the root biomass will be as well as the nutrient content. Soil is incredibly important for crop production, because if results come back that it's not up to par, or if some research on data that had been done previously shows that it's not good for crop production, then you may have to look elsewhere for better land or find something that will do better on it. For crop production surrounding vegetation that is growing wild in other pastures or along roadsides is unimportant because you aren't going to be wanting to raise livestock, just produce crop for sale of your own choice. However, surrounding farms will tell you what they can grow in their fields, and thus will show you what you can consider growing as well. Some areas aren't as suited for growing corn as others, and orchards or a tree farm may be a better option to consider if you'd rather have a lot of trees on your land. For livestock raising, though, surrounding vegetation is important especially if you want to have pastures with a multitude of plant species and not just a few that you want seeded in. So have a look at the native or volunteer plants that are growing wild in and around the farm, from the outskirts of the fields to ditches and even what looks like could be growing in the neighbour's field. Some of those plants can be weeds that will need to be watched. Any plant that grows in a crop field (or even pasture) can be considered a "weed." You will need to be prepared to know what weeds grow in the area you want to start a farm so you are better prepared to know how to deal with them. If the land was only used for pasture and hay, have a forage analysis done along with the soil test, especially with collecting hay for livestock. Note that a lot of this information may be on line, but if you cannot find what you're looking for you may need to see someone to get more information on the environmental conditions of your area Only do this if you are not familiar with the locationand before or after you have talked to thesellerand some of the neighbours. Climate is one of the most important factors that affect a farming operation, because it influences when things need to be done before a certain change in a season will hit and disable a possibility or hope of doing what you wanted to on your farm. Average precipitation levels and times when precipitation is most likely to come throughout the year is of most importance. Other climatic data you may want to look into is storm frequency and types, flooding and drought history and frequencies, growing and frost-free days, seasonal changes (rainy versus dry season or spring, summer, autumn and winter season), length of days, etc. Even if you're starting a farm in an area you are already familiar with, sometimes re-familiarizing yourself with this information can be helpful for the kind of farming operation you want to get started in.

Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Prepare the planting bed. Plant the seedlings. Care for the herbs. Fertilize your herbs. Use natural pest control methods.

Answer: Use a garden rake to loosen the dirt and rake in the soil mixture you purchased for the herbs to a depth of about 6 inches (15.2cm). Sprinkle water over the soil to moisten it. Dig holes several inches apart in preparation for planting the herbs. If you're planting the herbs in pots, determine how many will fit in each one. Many herbs get quite large as they grow, so you may not want to plant more than 2 - 3 seedlings in each container. You can add a bit of fertilizer to the soil, but again, don't over-fertilize or the herbs won't thrive. The herbs are ready to plant when they are well-established and have sprouted several mature leaves. Plant them when outdoor temperatures are above 50 degrees, and the chance of frost is gone. Carefully lift the seedlings from the pots, loosen their roots, and plant them in the ground. Pat soil around the base of the stems, then dampen the area with water. If you're planting the herbs outside, it's a good idea to transition them to outdoor temperatures by allowing them to "harden off" in a garage or other covered outdoor space for a few days before you plant them in the ground. Now that the herbs are established, you have only to care for them by making sure they consistently get enough sunlight and water. Pay attention to the moisture level of the soil, and never let it get dried out. Your herbs will grow healthy and strong, and soon it will be time to harvest them. One good way to keep your herbs healthy and happy is to add fertilizer to the soil. You can sprinkle fertilizer around the bases of your plants after they are already established, or add slow-release fertilizer to the soil before planting. Container-grown herbs will need more fertilizer than those grown in the ground. A few good fertilizer options are: Organic slow-release granules. It is best to add these to the soil before planting. Water-soluble fertilizer. This type of fertilizer can be added to your plants' soil at any point during the growing season. It does not last as long as slow-release granules, so you may wish to give your herbs several treatments. Compost. You can make your own natural fertilizer by composting your food and yard waste. Good compost material includes things like grass clippings, dead leaves, fruit and vegetable waste, stale bread, egg shells, and coffee grounds. If your herb garden is troubled by pests, you may need to apply some gentle pesticides or repellents to your plants. Try one or a combination of these safe and natural pest control methods: Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt, is a type of bacterium that naturally occurs in soil and contains insecticidal compounds. A variety of Bt-based pesticide products are available on the market. Bt is safe for humans and pets. Diatomaceous earth is a natural rock powder that kills slugs and many insects. Sprinkle a little of it around the bases of your plants to create a barrier, or puff some onto the leaves with a puffer bottle. Ladybugs are attractive, harmless to your plants, and happy to chow down on aphids and other small insect pests. Buy a box of ladybugs at your local garden center and turn them loose in your herb garden. Spray your plants with a dilute sugar-water solution first to make them more appealing to the ladybugs.

Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Define "paranoia" properly. Look for characteristic symptoms of Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD). Watch for signs of paranoid schizophrenia. Look for signs of Delusional Disorder. Consider whether you may have PTSD. Consider talking to a therapist about how you have been feeling.

Answer:
A lot of us use the term "paranoia" quite loosely. However, clinical paranoia involves persistent feelings of persecution and an inflated sense of self-importance. Unlike everyday suspicion, paranoia does not have a rational basis. There are several medical or mental health conditions that can cause paranoia, but they are not common. You cannot and should not attempt to diagnose yourself with any of these conditions. If you display any of their symptoms, see your physician or a mental health professional such as a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. Only a trained medical professional can diagnose mental illnesses. PPD affects somewhere between 0.5% and 2.5% of the population. People with PPD are so suspicious of others that it causes dysfunction in their daily lives, such as extreme social withdrawal. Its symptoms include: Suspicion, without grounds, of others, especially that you may be harmed, exploited, or deceived by them Suspicion of others' trustworthiness, even friends and family Difficulty confiding in or working with others Reading hidden or threatening meanings into harmless remarks or events Grudge-bearing Social withdrawal or hostility Rapid anger reactions People with paranoid schizophrenia are usually convinced that others are out to harm them or their loved ones. They may also believe that they are extremely important (delusions of grandeur). Only about 1% of people have schizophrenia. Other common signs of paranoid schizophrenia include: Social isolation or withdrawal Suspicion of others Guarded or reserved behavior Delusional jealousy Auditory hallucinations ("hearing things") Delusional Disorder is the belief in one or more very specific paranoias (e.g., "The FBI is in my TV watching my every move"). It's pinpointed and not necessarily global, and the person is otherwise able to function without any obviously bizarre behavior. This disorder is extremely rare; only about 0.02% of people have delusional disorder. Common symptoms of Delusional Disorder include: High levels of self-reference. This means that the person sees references to themselves in everything, even when this could not possibly be true (e.g., believing that an actor in a movie is talking directly to them). Irritability Depressive mood Aggressiveness Paranoia may accompany post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental health condition that may develop after a person has experienced a trauma. Traumatic experiences can even cause hallucinations as well as paranoia. If you have experienced a trauma in the past, such as abuse, it is possible that you have developed what is known as "persecutory ideation," or the belief that others are out to harm you. This belief can cause you to suspect others or worry about being harmed, even in situations that most people would not see as suspicious or harmful. Unlike most other paranoias, this type of fear has a basis in that it is a reaction to the trauma. Working with a mental health professional who is experienced in handling trauma can help you overcome PTSD and this type of paranoia. The most common treatment for PTSD is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which focuses on learning how your trauma has affected your thinking and behavior. You can learn new ways to think about yourself and the world that will help reduce your symptoms. Other treatments include exposure therapy and EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing). Without help, it may be hard to figure out why you feel paranoid and determine the best way to deal with those feelings. A licensed mental health professional can help you begin to understand these feelings and help you work through them. Keep in mind that feeling paranoid may be part of an underlying mental health condition that requires treatment. Talking to a therapist can help you understand what is going on and decide on the best course of action. Seeing a therapist is very common. People do it all the time to get better and improve their lives. You can feel good about your decision to seek help: it's brave and shows that you care about yourself. Feel free to switch therapists! Many people feel stuck with whichever one they start with. If you're not jiving, find a new one. Find one that makes you feel comfortable and that you can see yourself trusting. It'll be the quickest path to progress. Know that your therapist is required by law to keep the information you share confidential. People with paranoia tend to be afraid to share their problems, but therapists are legally and ethically bound to keep your secrets safe. The only exceptions to this rule is if you share plans to harm yourself or others, abuse or neglect is involved in your situation, or if a court orders your therapist to reveal information because you are on trial.