The general assembly shall annually appropriate any sum that it may deem necessary for the purpose of supporting the program of the department of environmental management in its enlargement of cooperation with agricultural organizations as exemplified by the Rhode Island agricultural council in the endeavor to promote, encourage, generally better rural living in Rhode Island; to encourage and promote agriculture in this state and improve the state’s agricultural interests; to hold meetings throughout the state with discussions conducted by authorities from both within and without the state; to make awards for outstanding agricultural contributions, and to assist Rhode Island agriculturalists in every way to overcome the problems that confront them in the agricultural field. This sum is to be expended under the direction of the director of the department of environmental management with a committee of five (5) members of the Rhode Island agricultural council appointed annually by the president of the council within thirty (30) days after the annual meeting of the council. The committee is to act in an advisory capacity and to assist in the formulation of plans and programs.