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  • Home
  • About
  • Aquaponics
  • Blog
  • Programs
    • Family Aquaponics
    • Education
    • Research and Development
  • Take Action
    • Donate Now
    • Start Fundraising
    • Host a Workshop
    • Volunteer
    • Events
    • Store
  • Contact
    • Sign Up

Sustainable growing media

Growing media is an essential part of aquaponics, but gravel or clay pellets can be hard to source. We have therefore developed a technique to safely and effectively use rice husks in both hydroponics and aquaponic systems. This abundant resource in rural Cambodia as it is a byproduct of the ubiquitous cultivation of rice. As a result, its costs is next to zero.

Soil remediation

A long time ago, Sen Sok used to be surrounded by jungle. But centuries of deforestation, erosion of the topsoil, and intensive monoculture have taken a huge toll on the once-fertile grounds of the land of Angkor. Even with proper irrigation, the clay-sand ratio of the soil makes it difficult to grow certain crops. The Sen Sok campus runs an exhibit & workshop on soil remediation so that farmers can reclaim and heal their land.

Superfoods & health foods

With 40% of children being affected by stunting as a result of a struggling agricultural sector, food security has always been a high priority in Cambodia since even before the Khmer Rouges took over. Highly nutritious foods are therefore very important for the survival of many, and Cambodia is home to a great tradition of healers that know their forests and its most useful botanical resources.

Biodigeters & natural gas

In collaboration with the National Biodigester Program, Community First was the first to introduce biogas to the villages of Sen Sok. Still today, many people own a lot of  cattle which offers a great opportunity to use the cow dung to create biogas to replace fire wood or coal at home. The gas does not smell and our systems guarantee over 12hrs of cooking time per day.

3D printing & Arduino Technologies

Community First is exploring ways in which 3D printing can serve as a reliable element of a spare part supply chain for our aquaponic systems in Cambodia. This project also involves the development of techniques to integrate locally-sourced discarded plastics to the printing media. An other high-tech and related area of research is anything connected to Arduino, Raspberry Pi and Internet of Things (IoT) in an open-source framework. One area of particular interest in water testing connectivity and user interfaces, as well as other automations that would benefit our systems and their greenhouses.

What is "actionable" social innovation?

Stanford University’s Center for social innovation defines it as “the process of developing and deploying effective solutions to challenging and often systemic social and environmental issues in support of social progress” (link). Over the past ten years, Community First has engineered such solutions in the fields of water & agriculture, education and the creation and development of local businesses.
But to be the most effective, social innovation must promote and ensure sustainability. With an environmental, social, and environmental bottom-line in mind, Community First develops solutions and technologies based on a value driven-model that involves the communities it intends to serve.
As a result, our work is very much aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and other international development plans like Rotary International's Six Areas of Focus.

What our research focuses on

Doing the most good where it is the most needed has been a founding value of Community First since before it was even incorporated. This is why our R&D department only incubates technologies & solutions that hold the promise of a well identified social impact.
Building on our past experiences in managing water, energy and food systems, we are currently researching a variety of superfoods and sources of phytochemicals with proven health benefits in order to help aquaponic farmers in Cambodia fight off malnutrition at home while breaking into a growing health food market internationally.
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What we need help with

Community First is a high-impact organization that relies on a small but effective operational budget. In other words, the Research & Development efforts rely largely on donated expertise from our global network of volunteers and Advisors. Join our community of likeminded people!
We're looking for an English teacher to come to the Sen Sok Campus in Siem Reap Province, Cambodia to help our students reach fluency to help with their research own. This positions calls for a minimum commitment of six months.
Volunteer in Cambodia
We're in urgent need of advisory assistance and volunteer hours in the following fields: Science & Engineering (misc. fields), Pediatrics & OBGYN, Diabetes & Heart Disease, and Nutrition, in addition to Web Marketing & Grant writing.
Become an Advisor
© 2017 All rights reserved , Community First Initiatives, Inc. a registered nonprofit, non-stock 501c3 public charity under Tax ID Number26-2737598
Our Mailing Address is 530 South Lake Avenue, #334, Pasadena CA, 91101