6 M. Criser
has grown by 54 percent in the past five years. Today more than 27.3
percent of Florida's manufacturing jobs are in high-tech, compared with
18 percent nationwide.
 While most of this high-tech growth has been related to machines, agri-
culture is still big business and the state recognizes the potential of biotech-
nology. Agriculture is still the state's second largest business, just behind
tourism. One of every five jobs is in agriculture. Each year, the impact of
agricultural production and processing on sales activities in Florida is
nearly $16 billion. With a ripple effect, the total impact is nearly $43
billion, including the wholesaling and retailing of food but excluding res-
taurants.
 Combine the state's strengths in agriculture and high-tech, and you be-
gin to understand our enthusiasm for biotechnology.