Section 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.