Ronald M. Howell, Jr.

State Extension Leadership Council - Member-at-Large

A product of Surry County, Virginia, Ronald Macell Howell, Jr. was born and reared on his family’s farm in Spring Grove, VA. He was educated in the Surry County Public Schools, graduating in 2006 and furthered his education at Virginia State University. Ronald earned a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business, graduated with Summa Cum Laude Honors and at the top of his college class. After Virginia State University, Ronald pursued graduate studies at Virginia Tech and graduated in May 2012 with his Master’s degree in Agricultural Life Sciences with a concentration in Agricultural and Extension Education.

While attending Virginia State University, Ronald worked closely with Cooperative Extension Service agents and specialists in Agriculture and Natural Resources, 4-H Youth Development, and Aquaculture. He also worked with grant programs and projects funded by USDA. Ronald is no stranger to the programs and services of the Cooperative Extension Service and is benefactor of its educational training and other resources. With the expertise of VCE, Ronald has receive technical assistance, business planning, and marketing support in starting a small-scale commercial vegetable operation as well as running a farm-raised catfish outlet on  his family’s farm. In his childhood years, he was an active member of the local Surry 4-H Club and participated in 4-H Congress. Staying involved with volunteer activities and working with agricultural projects around the state, Ronald continues to serve his local 4-H Club as an adult volunteer and an advocate for 4-H and other Extension Programs across the Commonwealth. He has been a member of the State Extension Leadership Council since 20l1. He enjoys and actively works with youth across communities, serves on several boards, and holds membership in many farm and community-based organizations.

Ronald currently resides in Northern Virginia and works with the United States Department of Agriculture-Office of the Chief Financial Officer in Washington, DC, but often comes back to his hometown community to give service, work with his family on their farming operation, and to grow his commercial vegetables.