FINDINGS

The legislature finds that: (1) agriculture has been a critical element in the economic, cultural, and historical development of this state; (2) the impact of agriculture in this state is declining, due to urbanization, economic changes, and changes in agriculture; (3) the effects of those changes are not limited to rural areas and the agricultural community but affect citizens throughout the state, including those in urban areas; (4) agriculture is a vital component of a diversified state economy and creates numerous businesses and job opportunities; (5) agriculture is directly and substantially affected by factors beyond the control of the industry, including adverse weather conditions and changes in world commodity markets; (6) agriculture renews the natural resources of this state through the annual production of crops and livestock; and (7) to ensure that agriculture remains a vital force in this state, the state must assess the condition of agriculture and the role of state government and develop an agricultural policy to guide governmental actions.