Upon the declaration of incorporation by the governing body of the county, the agricultural commodity research district shall be a body politic and corporate by the name and style of the agricultural commodity research district of ______ County, and by that name shall be known in law, have perpetual succession, sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, defend and be defended, in all courts and in all actions, pleas and matters whatsoever, and shall have the power to contract, and to purchase, hold, lease, rent and receive property. The board may seek and accept, on behalf of the district, gifts, devises, grants, and any other money or property made available to the district. The board may also, on behalf of the district, accept, receive and expend appropriations or other funding made by the state of Missouri or any of its political subdivisions or by the federal government.