The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)
There is a growing movement in California and the nation to change farming techniques by adopting more resource-conserving, energy-efficient systems of agriculture. The objective of these changes is to produce agricultural products that may reduce the use of petrochemicals, improve means of biological pest management, improve soil productivity, improve erosion control, and improve irrigation, cultivation, and harvesting techniques.
(b)
Over the long term, adoption of more efficient resource-conserving systems of agricultural production can benefit both the producing and consuming public.
(c)
The resolution of many agricultural problems depends on immediate efforts to provide farmers with practices that are both resource conserving and economical for food producers, and to foster food production and distribution methods that reduce dependence on petroleum-based inputs.