Opportunity exists for continued growth and expansion of the nursery industry by creating new markets. The success of such an expansion program is uniquely dependent upon effective research and public education, since the creation of new markets is essentially a matter of educating and informing people of the use, value, and availability of nursery products and enhancing the reputation of the California nursery products industry. The expansion of the nursery industry also provides an important and expanding source of jobs for many people in this state, including many residing in historically depressed areas of the state, and it serves to ensure the preservation of an agrarian society. The expansion also provides pathways for the unemployed, the poor, unskilled laborers, rehabilitated
inmates, and other disadvantaged groups to learn valuable professional nursery skills and obtain seasonal or permanent employment with career potential.