Orlando Phelps, President, is retired from the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) with over 32 years of experience serving in various capacities.  During his tenure, Orlando served as the Agency Outreach Coordinator and was instrumental in broadening AMS outreach footprint domestically and internationally with all AMS stakeholders.  In addition, Orlando served on the leadership team for the Southern University Agricultural Leadership Institute which has trained over 100 small limited resource producers in the U. S.  He served as President of the National Society for Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) where he oversaw the functions of the organization.  He served as the chairperson of the working group who developed and implemented two successful Agricultural Marketing Outreach Workshops in Tennessee which were later duplicated in Georgia and California.  These workshops were instrumental in assisting small limited resource farmers and ranchers acquire the knowledge and understanding of many USDA programs and services. Orlando has a B. S. in Animal Science and M.S. in Agriculture, Animal Science Concentration from Alcorn State University, Alcorn State, Mississippi.  Currently, Orlando is the co-owner/Farm Manager of Phelps Family Farms in Hermanville, MS.

James Bunch, Vice President, is retired from the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).  During his 34 years of service he developed and participated in numerous outreach projects and meetings both domestically and internationally.  Recently, Mr. Bunch developed a concept for faith based organizations to create employment opportunities and job training by growing specialty crops/vegetables utilizing the Seasonal High Tunnel System.  James serves as advisor to two historically underserved groups seeking to develop farmers markets in northern Mississippi and central Arkansas.  Those groups are faith based organizations and small rural municipalities.  His focus includes USDA Strike force areas and Food Deserts.  In addition, Mr. Bunch developed and promotes an outreach initiative to young people of color designed to teach them how to grow, manage and market fresh vegetable utilizing the Seasonal High Tunnel System. James served on the planning and implementation team charged with developing and executing the Agricultural Marketing Outreach Workshops held in Tennessee, Georgia and California.  USDA was able to provide training to several hundred small and limited resource farmers about their programs and services during the training sessions.  James has a B. S. in Agronomy from the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff and M.S. in Agronomy from Alcorn State University, Alcorn State, Mississippi.  Currently, Mr. Bunch is the Director of the Peetie Wheatstraw Foundation in Cotton Plant, Arkansas.

Clifton E. Peters, Treasurer, is retired from the USDA, Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO).  Mr. Peters has 40 years of experience developing partnerships, designing and participating in numerous outreach projects and training events to serve the needs of the people.  He served as President of the National Society for Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) where he oversaw the functions of the organization.  Cliff served as a key member of the planning and implementation team charged with developing and executing the Agricultural Marketing Outreach Workshops held in Memphis, Tennessee, Macon, Georgia and Modesto, California.  These workshops were very productive in bringing USDA and land-grant universities together to help small farmers and communities’ understand USDA programs and how to access them.  Cliff has a B. S. in Agricultural Education and further studies towards a Masters in Agronomy from Alcorn State University, Alcorn State, Mississippi.  Currently, Cliff is Vice President of the Hermanville Community Economic Development Corporation in Hermanville, Mississippi.

Secretary, Open

MEMBERSHIP

Membership in Restoring Faith is open to all who have an interest in improving the conditions of citizens in rural America.