The Howard A. Steppler fonds chiefly reflects Steppler's long and distinguished career as an expert in agricultural research in the developing world and consists of the following:
-International organization directorship files including correspondence, minutes, planning and review documents, and board of trustee files
-International research and consulting activities records include his role as an advisor
-Conferences, workshops, attended or given by him on arid lands, forest management, agro-forestry, International Centres Week, 1975-1995

• Correspondence, arranged chronologically or in subject files

Steppler’s role as a McGill professor and administrator is reflected in the minutes of the Macdonald College Soil Fertility Committee, 1934-1946, minutes of the course revision committee, 1965-1970, correspondence and reports of his chairmanship of the Macdonald 2000 Committee, minutes of staff meetings, 1980-1981, minutes of Senate sub-committee on development at Macdonald College, 1966-69; course lecture notes for statistics courses, 1951-1974 and agronomy course, ca.1959-ca.1969; and his writings on agro-forestry, plant science, agricultural technology in developing countries, presidential addresses and international agricultural development, 1951-1990. There are also Canadian professional associations and committees records, including his files as president of the Agricultural Institute of Canada, 1953-1966.

His personal records include notes from Glenn Steppler’s history thesis (undated) and membership records in the Montreal Rotary Club (1980-1987).

The fonds consists of two letters from James Mills to Principal Sir Arthur Currie dated July 31 and August 5 1922. Both letters refer to the appointment of a principal to Macdonald College and the July letter has a typed copy with lines underlined in red ink. Included is a note from Currie to E.W . Beatty stating that a copy of the Mills letter was enclosed.