By Cath Isabedra

Angie King, once primarily known in the realm of supercars, has steered her focus towards a groundbreaking agricultural venture in the Philippines. King Tower Farm, her brainchild, stands as a symbol of sustainability and innovation in a region traditionally tethered to conventional farming practices. 

The transition from high-performance vehicles to high-efficiency farming wasn’t immediate. It was driven by King’s firsthand experiences with problematic soil conditions and her commitment to finding solutions.  

As she delved into the challenges of traditional agriculture, her focus sharpened on creating a farming model that was both sustainable and adaptable to the local environment. 

The genesis of King Tower Farm 

King Tower Farm was born out of Angie’s exploration into aquaponics, an interest sparked by the poor soil quality at her inherited property. This venture quickly evolved from a personal project into a full-fledged farm that included vertical towers alongside traditional soil farming and an apiary.  

“The soil was Luisiana clay, very acidic and low in organic matter,” Angie recounts, emphasizing the challenges that led her to innovate. 

Her approach to agriculture is holistic, integrating multiple farming techniques to optimize productivity and sustainability. The farm serves as a testbed for vertical farming technologies and preserves traditional practices, demonstrating a balanced ecosystem that leverages the best of both worlds. 

Adapting aeroponics to the tropical climate 

In tropical climates, high humidity and temperatures can create a breeding ground for pathogens, potentially harming aeroponic systems. To counteract this, good air circulation around the roots and throughout the growth chamber is necessary.  

Implementing controlled environment agriculture (CEA) technology, which includes automated systems to monitor and adjust temperature, humidity, and airflow, can significantly mitigate these risks.  

Tropical regions, like the Philippines, often face heavy rainfall and high evaporation rates. In aeroponics, efficient water management is vital, particularly in the misting cycles, to ensure roots do not become waterlogged or dry out.  

Similarly, the intense and direct sunlight characteristic of tropical regions can stress plants, leading to overheating or excessive transpiration. The warm, humid tropical climate is conducive to the proliferation of pests and diseases.  

At King Tower Farm, the introduction of aeroponic systems marked a significant technological leap specifically tailored to address the unique challenges of the Philippine climate.  

Initially, the farm faced issues such as nutrient dilution and pest infestations.  

Angie’s response was to iterate and optimize, eventually moving to a centralized drip irrigation system that enhanced efficiency and resilience against environmental pressures. 

“These modifications have proven essential for coping with our tropical conditions,” Angie explains. The new system improved crop yield and quality and ensured that farming could be a year-round endeavor despite the seasonal variations typical of the region. 

Integrating advanced agricultural technologies with sustainable water management practices was fraught with challenges, from dealing with unreliable equipment suppliers to managing the microclimate within greenhouses. Angie combatted these issues by harnessing natural water sources and employing innovative filtration techniques to ensure a consistent and clean water supply. 

The adjustments made at King Tower Farm are a testament to Angie’s determination and adaptability.  

“Adjusting the greenhouse’s internal temperature to optimal levels remains a work in progress,” she admits. However, her commitment to overcoming these hurdles underscores her dedication to environmental sustainability and operational efficiency. 

Empowering communities and protecting ecosystems 

King Tower Farm has made substantial impacts not only in terms of agricultural production but also in water and land conservation. The farm’s systems significantly reduce water usage, a critical achievement in sustainability.  

“Our water-saving measures are crucial in a country where water scarcity can be a barrier to farming,” Angie points out. 

She also addresses the increased energy needs of the farm, acknowledging the complexities of balancing resource conservation with agricultural innovation. 

Beyond its environmental benefits, the farm serves as a model for community engagement and education, aiming to foster a deeper connection between people and their food sources. Angie’s efforts illustrate how small-scale farms can play a significant role in ecological conservation and community development. 

Envisioning the future: Sustainability and food security 

Looking ahead, Angie is focused on expanding the reach of her innovative farming techniques. She sees potential partnerships with local governments as a pathway to enhancing food security across the Philippines. By sharing her knowledge and technology, Angie aims to empower communities to adopt sustainable farming practices that lead to long-term food independence. 

Her vision extends beyond mere technological adoption. Angie is passionate about creating a sustainable agrarian culture that blends modern techniques with traditional knowledge, ensuring that future generations can continue to thrive and innovate within the agricultural sector. 

Her vision for the future includes optimizing current practices and sharing these innovations to promote food security.  

“My dream is to get this technology in the hands of the local government so that they can have food sustainability near them.” 

Scaling vertical farming: Insights for aspiring entrepreneurs 

Recognizing the financial hurdles associated with vertical farming, Angie offers practical advice to emerging farmers. She advises aspiring farmers to start small and grow with the market, emphasizing the importance of understanding the local agricultural landscape and market demands.  

“Whichever system you can afford, that’s something you should go into.”  

Angie’s advocacy extends beyond her farm’s boundaries. She is a vocal proponent of maintaining agricultural diversity and preventing the monopolization of farming by large corporations. Her concerns about the potential consequences of a homogenized farming industry drive her to promote awareness and advocate for inclusive agricultural policies. 

“My biggest fear would be that huge corporations monopolize the farming industry,” Angie expresses, underscoring the importance of maintaining agricultural diversity and accessibility. 

Her efforts aim to inspire a new generation of farmers who are well-informed about the importance of sustainable practices and the dangers of industry consolidation. Through education and advocacy, she hopes to cultivate a resilient agricultural sector that supports diverse farming methods and ensures equitable access to resources. 

Through King Tower Farm and her various initiatives, Angie King is not simply farming—she’s cultivating a future where innovative agriculture is the cornerstone of a sustainable and prosperous Philippines. 

Angie King is a Filipina hotelier, car shop owner, race car driver, restauranteur, modern farmer, and recently an ecologist.  She is married to international model-host Joey Mead King.   

Angelina Mead King is the owner of Car Porn Racing and Classic Speed Inc, a car modification and services company dealing with classic cars and luxury cars. She is also the managing director of Victoria Court, Hotel La Corona, and Hotel 2016. She came out as a transgender woman in 2016 due to Facebook managing to link her secret account with her public account.  Angie and Joey are also big animal rights advocates. 

In recent months, Angie decided to focus her efforts on shifting her company to a more green initiative. Realizing that the problem is global, she teamed up with UN Ambassador Antoinette Taus to do multiple coastal clean-ups at the Ramsar site LPPCHEA.  

This story first came out in our “Seeds of Change: The Urban Farming Phenomenon in Asia and Beyond” issue.