A $25,000 lead donation by Bank Iowa kickstarted a fundraising campaign for New Hampton High School that enabled the school to renovate its ag-industrial technology center. The independent ag bank recently commemorated the one-year anniversary of the project’s completion as part of National FFA Week, which is held the last week of February each year. Jim Russ, New Hampton High School’s ag instructor, initiated the partnership as a part of a collaboration with various community leaders and Future Farmers of America alumni to expand the school’s original plans for the center. Following a yearlong renovation, the space hosts a variety of classes each day for students. The classroom also houses a series of advanced machinery and technology for students to learn and practice welding, woodworking and technology-based occupations. The new center is also home to the school’s intracurricular FFA chapter.