Granbury FFA members recently joined Texas agriculture students throughout the state in raising more than $130,000 to help West ISD restore what was lost after the April 17, 2013, fertilizer plant blast that destroyed much of the school district’s facilities.

The campaign for West FFA began in August when members of the state organization learned that their fellow members would be attending school in portable buildings with nowhere to practice the hands-on aspect of the career and technical education program. Granbury FFA donated monies to support their fellow FFA members in West.

Along with the thousands of Texas FFA members who washed cars, held dinners and took up collections to raise money, Rigid-Global, a Houston-based building manufacturer, provided a heavily discounted steel building to the cause. Five Texas livestock shows recruited by Justin Boots and numerous other agriculture groups also pitched in.

The combination of cash and in-kind donations totaled about $200,000. Now there is a brand new building standing where the smoldering wreckage of the town's intermediate school once stood.

"It is a clear demonstration of the power of a community," said Texas FFA executive director Tom Maynard. "Everyone pulled together and gave a little; the results are breathtaking."

The building dedication was held on January 14 on the site. The ceremony was dedicated to the efforts of thousands of Texas students who worked to raise money to provide a place for West agricultural education students to develop technical skills in construction and mechanics.