Sector39 is an association of designers, gardeners, teachers, crafts people and project crew working for a sustainable future. We run courses, build gardens and work with community projects and more...

We also act as a platform to promote courses, new businesses, craft makers and artisans. We work closely with the Webhosts and web marketing specialists 39internet.co.uk to promote creative sustainable development.

Sector39 is based in Llanrhaeadr Ym Mochnant, in the Welsh borders region.

Steven Jones

Hi, I am responsible for putting this partnership together, originally with designer and gardener Dave Richards, with whom I worked on the award winning RISC Roof Garden project, as well as the Growing Schools forest gardens project.

You can view my CV here, I am a freelance project development manager, permaculture teacher and garden designer. I write an occasional column for Channel4/green and BBC Wales and recently as a green advisor on their Changing Lives- Going Green series, Nov-Dec 2009.

I have been working in sustainable development, on project management and development, teaching, growing and small business development all my life really. I also grew up living and working on farms and have a broad experience working in Britain and Canada and Zimbabwe on sustainable agriculture, grass roots permaculture projects, micro business developent and housing and worker co-ops. I have been based in Gwynedd, Wales since 1994 and currently live in the Welsh borders.

I grew up on a Shropshire farm and spent my school holidays working on neighbouring small familiy farms picking potatoes and plucking turkeys. I have witnessed the significant changes in agricultural practices over the decades and the impact this has had on the environment. This as well as extensive study of ecology, sustainable development and sustainable agriculture has informed my growing interest in permaculture design and sustainable development.

In later years I put some of this experience to use working in in landscape design, developing community gardens and as a tree surgeon. I am also a qualified business studies and economics teacher with a degree in sustainable development and have a passion for communicating the ideas behind sustainability and permaculture.

As a founding member of Chickenshack housing co-op and ex membership secretary to the Permaculture association in Britian and with 7 years developing the membership department and annual conference of The Centre for Alternative Technology I bring an extensive network of contacts and experience to the project.

Lesley Sweet

Lesley is a permaculture graduate from the 90's and has recently joined the S39 team as customer and bookings manager.

Richard Stephenson

Ritchie is a carpenter musician and cook extraordinare. He recently fulfilled a life long ambition, to make a harp, and learn to play it. Ritchie is a regular contribtor to our courses and brings a great knowlege of practical skills to the course.