For the past 22 years, Chris Ripley has dedicated his life to learning as much as possible about Sustainable Agricultural/Land systems through the lens of Regenerative, Biodynamic, and Permaculture-based modalities. This life experience has included homesteading activities such as seed saving and plant selection, orchard planting and care, animal husbandry, and Herbal Medicine making. He has also done various kinds of environmentally restorative field work such as performing invasive species removal, stream restorations, and re-establishing native plants in various ecosystems across Western North Carolina. During this time, he has worked on production-based Organic Farms, small and medium-scale homesteads, at Permaculture learning centers, as well as at Herbal Plant Sanctuaries. This chosen life path has taken him to farms of many diverse ecosystems in places such as England, France, Spain, Morocco, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Oregon, and across his home State of North Carolina. All of these unique experiences have shaped the way that he views farming and sustainability and has helped him to apply a multitude of techniques to the way that he views land stewardship. These many diverse learning opportunities led him to the realization that it is crucial for humanity to shift from the current extractive forms of farming towards adopting Regenerative techniques that improve soil health, preserve topsoil and ultimately produce food high in vitamins, minerals and enriched with life-force. 

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Although farming has always been his passion, for many years, lack of access to enough land and limited capital for equipment resources remained a great obstacle in building his own farming operation. For 10 years he grew gardens large enough to adequately feed and care for his family and friends, while helping other well-resourced land owners with their farming and gardening projects. In 2020 he was finally able to lease enough land to begin his own personal farming project. For 4 growing seasons, from 2020-2023, this 1 acre Regenerative-based, No-Till farm produced thousands of pounds of food and an abundance of Medicinal Herbs for the greater community. During this time he cultivated over 40 varieties of food crops and over 30 different varieties of Medicinal Herbs. Although this Farm Project was a great success, at the end of 2023 it was revealed that the land was going to be sold and in the winter of 2023-2024 the farm had to be dismantled.

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For nearly 2 decades Chris had always freely shared any knowledge he could with other aspiring growers and land stewards, as well as valuable resources such as seeds and homemade fertilizers. He also took on a number of paid consulting opportunities each year, although this was not one of his main focuses. As he dismantled his farm in the beginning of 2024 he realized he needed to take a new approach towards his role in encouraging the future of sustainable agriculture. From that point, he began to shift his focus from solely producing farm goods towards cultivating a new role as a consultant to others desiring to sustainably steward land and/or create sustainable farming operations. It was through this life change and realization that he created 13 Elements Regenerative Landscaping and Design with the goal of helping other like minded individuals actualize their dreams of sustainably stewarding land and farming with regeneration in mind and heart.