The Legislature finds agriculture to be a major industry in the State, contributing substantially to the state's overall economy, essential to the maintenance and strengthening of rural life and values and necessary to the preservation of the health, safety and welfare of all of the people of this State.   [PL 1979, c. 731, §4 (NEW).]

The survival of the family farm is of special concern to the people of the State, and the ability of the family farm to prosper, while producing an abundance of high quality food and fiber, deserves a place of high priority in the determination of public policy. For this purpose there is established the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.   [PL 1979, c. 731, §4 (NEW); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §5 (REV).]