The production of nursery products in California is currently the state’s number two agricultural crop with 2008 farm gate sales of four billion dollars ($4,000,000,000) and has the potential to become the leading segment of the state’s agricultural industry. To realize this potential, there is a need to engage in research beneficial to the industry, to educate the public relative to nursery products, and to promote and market nursery products. The activities made possible by the establishment of the commission will meet these needs and further the interests of the industry and the state.