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Roots Extended: An Ag Student's Mission

Ryan Salcido

Ryan Salcido is pictured with his sister and parents, who he credits as the inspiration for pursuing his agronomy degree at NMSU. His hard work and dedication, along with the opportunity afforded by the Waid Academic Scholarship, enables him to move forward on his path toward graduation.

Waid Scholar Ryan Salcido, a sophomore at NMSU, grew up in Brawley, California, a small agricultural town on the U.S.-Mexico border. His great-grandfather was a farmer and both of his parents have worked in ag-related fields. Born into a family and community with deep agricultural roots, his decision to pursue a degree in agronomy was a natural fit.

The motivation to pursue this academic path, however, became more personal for Ryan when his mother and sister were diagnosed with the autoimmune disease, multiple sclerosis. Now, Ryan sees agronomy as a way to improve their lives.

"One of the best ways for people with autoimmune diseases to manage their symptoms is to avoid processed foods and eat an abundance and wide variety of quality vegetables," says Ryan. That's why he plans to return to his hometown after graduation and use what he has learned at NMSU to find better ways of producing high-quality crops. "I want to be part of growing food in a sustainable, healthy way."

He credits his family with inspiring him to pursue his degree, citing their support as a key motivator. However, Ryan must finance his own education. Despite working summers to save money, Ryan says that without scholarships, including the Buck and Evelyn Waid Endowed Academic Scholarship, he would not be able to attend NMSU.

"I have driven a tractor the last two summers to help pay for school, but it is not enough to cover everything. I am grateful for the Buck and Evelyn Waid Scholarship, which helps fill the gap.

"You can change the course of someone's life with a donation to an NMSU scholarship," Ryan emphasizes, thinking about his own journey.

The Waids' transformational estate gift is helping make college possible for Ryan and other students. He and fellow scholarship recipients are taking great strides toward obtaining their degrees. Buck and Evelyn's investment in students resonates through and beyond the NMSU community to places—like Ryan's hometown—where Aggie graduates continue to extend the roots of leadership, service and philanthropy.

If, like the Waids, you are interested in turning your estate into a legacy at NMSU to benefit students like Ryan, contact Steven Covington at plannedgiving@nmsufoundation.org or (575) 646-3190 or (800) 342-6678.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to the New Mexico State University Foundation a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

"I give to the New Mexico State University Foundation, a nonprofit corporation currently located at P.O. Box 3590, Las Cruces, NM 88003, or its successor thereto, ______________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to the NMSU Foundation or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support NMSU's mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to the NMSU Foundation as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to the NMSU Foundation as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and the NMSU Foundation where you agree to make a gift to the NMSU Foundation and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.

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