Section 15E.203. Findings — intent and purposes.

  1.  The general assembly finds that this state is in a period when the economic structure of agriculture and the production, processing, and marketing of agricultural products is undergoing a period of rapid transformation.

  2.  It is the intent of the general assembly and purpose of this division that this state capture the greatest benefit from opportunities created during this period, by encouraging local agricultural producer-led ventures to expand production and processing of high value agricultural products, including agricultural processed products, to organize new business structures within the state to carry out these ventures, and to market and deliver increasingly high value agricultural products to consumers around the world. In carrying out this purpose, state resources provided by this division shall be used to assure all of the following:

  a.  That the majority of the wealth created by Iowa agricultural productivity is retained in this state.

  b.  That employment in the production, processing, and marketing of agricultural products, and especially agricultural processed products, is increased in this state.

  c.  That agricultural producers in this state are provided with an opportunity to acquire a majority ownership interest in Iowa agricultural industry ventures promoted under this division.

  d.  That this state becomes a world model for agricultural producer-based vertical cooperation which depends upon broadly shared access to information, capital, and cooperative action.

  e.  That the use of private resources with state incentives establish Iowa as the world leader in responsibly produced agricultural products that meet the needs of consumers throughout the world.

  3.  It is the intent of the general assembly and the purpose of this division that the state encourage Iowa agricultural industry ventures which promote the research and application of biological techniques for the development of specialized plant or animal characteristics for beneficial nutritional, commercial, or industrial purposes.

98 Acts, ch 1207, §4

Additional legislative findings;

98 Acts, ch 1207, §1