Georgia Sen. Saxby Chambliss recently joined a growing list of Senators announcing that they will not run for reelection in the 2014 midterm elections.

With Congress having failed to pass a new five-year farm bill, farmers across the country are in a state of limbo. While Congress passed a temporary extension of the expired farm bill, farmers are still unsure which programs will still be in effect within the next year, which will be included in the next farm bill, and which may expire within the next nine months.

With so many farmers in this uncertain position, the loss of a major agricultural advocate comes as a blow. Chambliss has spent much of his two terms in office protecting the agricultural interests of his home state. He currently serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee.

According to the chair of the Marquette County Republican Party, “You had somebody who could stand up for agriculture,” Willis said. “He knew agriculture inside and out. I think that’s going to be the biggest loss. Because of his rural roots he worked for all of Georgia’s rural communities.”

A Georgia farmer reiterated this sentiment, stating, “Saxby was a huge asset to us on the Senate Agriculture Committee. He was really very instrumental in the last farm bill, and I’m sure he will keep working and be instrumental in drafting a new farm bill.”

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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer