The UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences will induct former U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss and the late Thomas Breedlove Sr., pioneering Northeast Georgia dairy farmer, into the Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame on Sept. 25.
The inductions will be part of the college’s alumni awards ceremony and banquet at the Classic Center. The public is invited to attend.
The Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame was established in 1972 to recognize individuals who made unusual and extraordinary contributions to agriculture and agribusiness industries in Georgia. Inductees are nominated by members of the public and selected by the awards committee of the college’s alumni association. Those nominated must possess the following characteristics: impeccable character, outstanding leadership, noteworthy contributions to Georgia’s agricultural landscape and recognition for achievements in agriculture as well as other areas.
During 20 years in the U.S. Congress, Chambliss earned a reputation as an advocate for agriculture. He also was working on behalf of farmers long before he went to Washington, D.C., in 1995. A UGA alumnus, Chambliss is currently the Sanders Political Leadership Scholar at the university’s School of Law.
Breedlove helped introduce Georgia farmers to what is today the USDA Farm Service Agency. He was the first and longest-serving executive director of its precursor, Georgia’s Agriculture Adjustment Administration, working for the organization from 1939-1955.