Sec. 10-6.301.   Purpose and Findings.
   (a)   The Board of Supervisors recognizes the importance of agriculture and the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices. The Board finds that local certification of organic products is a unique opportunity to encourage, and enhance, existing agricultural operations, as well as insure the integrity of the existing organic program. A local certification program will assist in verifying compliance with organic standards, providing verification of organic products for consumers, and facilitating and encouraging the implementation of organic practices that contribute to a more sustainable management of our agricultural system.
   (b)   Therefore, for the reasons set forth in subsection (a), the Board of Supervisors of the County of Yolo makes the following findings:
   (1)   Consumer demand for certified organic products, as defined below, is increasing, with an annual growth rate of more than 20 percent per year. There is an expectation by consumers that certified organic products are verifiable. With this in mind, the County’s Agricultural Commissioner developed an organic certification program to certify local products as organic with the help of the agricultural community.
   (2)   Local certification of organic products will accomplish a number of desirable aims, including: verifying the authenticity of agricultural products marketed as organically grown; enhancing the credibility of organic agriculture, as defined below, as a sustainable system; enhancing the preservation of our environment to optimize the health of microorganisms, plants, animals, and people; assuring consumers that certified organic products adhere to established laws and standards; facilitating commerce in fresh and processed food that is organically produced; and encouraging organic agriculture in the County of Yolo.