It is hereby found and determined that agriculture is an essential and indispensable part of the commerce and industry of the state and is of vital importance to the creation and preservation of jobs and employment opportunities and to the improvement of the economic welfare of the people of the state, that agriculture creates, promotes, and is a part of the continuous exchange of goods and services in the state economy, that there exists in this state an inadequate supply of agricultural credit and loan financing at affordable interest rates consistent with the needs of many agricultural borrowers which makes it difficult for persons to undertake to engage in agriculture or for persons engaged in agriculture to continue operations at present levels, decreases employment, and has an adverse effect upon the economic welfare of the people of the state. It is further found and determined that this chapter is enacted pursuant to, and the authority granted by this chapter is consistent with and will effect the purposes of, Section 13 of Article VIII, Ohio Constitution, that agriculture is part of and is directly related to industry, commerce, distribution, and research under Section 13 of Article VIII, Ohio Constitution, and that it is in the public interest and a proper public purpose under Section 13 of Article VIII, Ohio Constitution, for the state or any county or municipal corporation of the state, to acquire, construct, enlarge, improve, or equip, and to sell, lease or exchange, or otherwise dispose of property, structures, equipment, and facilities for agricultural purposes, and to make loans and borrow money and issue bonds or other obligations to provide moneys for the acquisition, construction, enlargement, improvement, or equipment of such property, structures, equipment, and facilities, all as provided in this chapter, and that such activities will contribute to the creation or preservation of jobs or employment opportunities or the improvement of the economic welfare of the people of the state. This chapter, being necessary for the welfare of the state and its people, shall be liberally construed to effect its purposes.

Effective Date: 01-11-1985