Editorial

Few groups aimed at developing the attributes of America's youth can match the success of the FFA.

By any metric, FFA comes out as one of the elite groups, producing young men and women who are at once skilled, motivated and enthusiastic and who will continue on to become successful adults.

The state conventions being held around the region are evidence of this success. During those events, thousands of FFA members gather for competitions, educational workshops and old-fashioned fun. The combination is unbeatable as a learning tool as FFA members head home with even more tools to build a successful future.

That is why the announcement last week at the California state FFA convention that the state may produce a "Cal Ag" automobile license plate was both gratifying and confusing.

It's gratifying because it shows the respect programs such as FFA and 4-H have built over the years. That a license plate would be dedicated to "agricultural education programs" in California shows that the state's leaders understand their importance to the future.

But how much of that money would go to FFA, or 4-H -- or any other ag education program, for that matter -- remains to be seen.

First, the proceeds from the entire Cal Ag license plate program are embargoed until the state gets 7,500 orders. Only then will we see the first new license plate. It could take as long as two years.

Then, the amount of money that agricultural education programs will actually receive is unclear. All the state Department of Motor Vehicles states is that "after deducting a small processing fee, the DMV will forward the majority of the special license plate fees to agricultural education programs in California."

We wish the state of California all of the best in this new endeavor. Promoting -- and financially supporting -- agricultural education is a high priority in our book. A license plate such as this will help identify those who feel the same way and promote agriculture in a state where the majority of the population seems to be growing away from its agricultural roots.

However, whether the new Cal Ag license plate program flies or not, we shouldn't forget that the absolute best way to support the FFA or 4-H program of your choice is to make a direct contribution.

That way, the benefit from the contribution is immediate -- and the middleman is left out of the transaction.