It is declared to be in the interest of the public welfare that the Alabama farmers who are producers of nuts, bulbs, fruits and vegetables shall be permitted and encouraged to act jointly and in cooperation with handlers, dealers and processors of such products in promoting and stimulating by research, education, advertising and other methods the increased use and sale, domestic and foreign, of any and all such agricultural commodities.
Ala. Code § 2-8-120 (1975)