Subd. 1. Goals.

The goals of this chapter are to:

1. (1) preserve and conserve agricultural land, including forest land, for long-term agricultural use in order to protect the productive natural resources of the state, maintain the farm and farm-related economy of the state, and assure continued production of food and timber and agricultural uses;
2. (2) preserve and conserve soil and water resources; and
3. (3) encourage the orderly development of rural and urban land uses.

Subd. 2. Methods.

The goals contained in subdivision 1 will be best met by combining state policies and guidelines with local implementation and enforcement procedures and private incentives.