§ 296. Legislative findings and intent. Agriculture, a leading
industry in the state, is the foundation upon which hundreds of
thousands of jobs are based. Agriculture related employment is found not
only in the production of crops and other basic foods, but also in the
processing, distribution and sale thereof. Rapid changes taking place in
the food and agriculture industry require new approaches in the
research, development, production, processing and distribution of
agricultural products which capitalize on the state's unique resources
and strategic location near significant markets. Failure to keep pace
with such changes would be detrimental to this major state industry and
to the supply of quality food for the public. It is essential that those
engaged in agriculture and related businesses be offered encouragement
and incentives to keep pace with the rapid changes. It is the intent of
the legislature to provide matching grants for projects that will
promote such strategic business undertakings as are necessary to assure
the continued prominence of agriculture as a leading industry in the
state and of the state as a supplier of quality foods.