ABSTRACT
On November 23, 2004, the sustainable agricultural community and agriculture in general lost a strong and inspiring leader of great intellect and compassion. Ben Stinner was respected and loved by colleagues, students, farmers, friends, family, and virtually everyone with whom he interacted. His life, though shorter than those of us who loved him most would wish, was well-lived and leaves a rich and deep legacy. The evolution of his understanding of what agroecosystem management is and can be has much to teach those of us left to carry on. I had the honor of sharing more than 25 years with Ben, as his wife and colleague, up until his untimely death in an automobile accident in 2004. In this chapter, I trace the historical development of Ben’s experience and thinking and reflect on his contribution to the future of agroecology and sustainable agroecosystem management.
