Planned gift from Tyler Guidry invests in the future of animal agriculture
Louisiana agriculturalist looks ahead to help future animal science students
For Tyler Guidry, building a legacy is not something that has to wait until later in life.
Guidry has committed a portion of his estate to the Texas A&M University Department of Animal Science through a planned gift that will fund scholarships for future students. His decision reflects a lifelong connection to agriculture and a desire to reduce the financial barriers facing young people who want to build careers in the industry.
“I hope I can be a help to them by having less to pay back,” Guidry said.
A connection to animal agriculture
A Louisiana native, Guidry grew up around cattle and agricultural land. His grandparents owned property that they leased to producers for cattle grazing. Guidry often worked for those producers learning and building a deep connection to agriculture. As an adult, he built a sizable herd through the years of crossbred cattle, his favorite being moderate-framed F1 cows bred back to ultra black bulls. Guidry is passionate about sustainable grazing practices and is proud of his hardy cows that not only survive but thrive in the harsh conditions of southwest Louisiana, carrying the “LLC” brand, a gift from his life-long mentor, Larry Currie.
Guidry initially studied animal science at Louisiana State University before earning his degree in agricultural economics in 2017. He now works in industrial construction and development, but agriculture remains an important part of his life.
His interest in Texas A&M dates back to his college search. Guidry looked at attending Texas A&M, but decided to attend LSU. However, he has always stayed connected and kept up with the Department of Animal Science and its programs.
That connection, paired with his experience in production agriculture, shaped his decision to direct his planned gift toward scholarships.
Guidry sees Texas A&M animal science graduates as essential to the future of agriculture. He also recognizes the financial challenges students may face when pursuing careers in production agriculture.
“These students are where the rubber hits the road,” Guidry said. “They are going out every day and working to feed the world through production agriculture.”
Giving with purpose
Guidry credits many of his views on giving to the mentors he has surrounded himself with throughout his career. Listening to their experiences taught him to think beyond accumulating wealth and consider what it could accomplish in the future.
“Investing in the future is something that I have grown interested in,” Guidry said. “It’s a purpose-driven thing.”
That perspective encouraged him to make plans now for how his estate can make a difference later.
Through his planned gift, Guidry hopes future students can graduate with less debt and greater freedom to pursue careers that directly serve agriculture and their communities.
“I can’t help everybody, but I sure hope I help some people,” Guidry said. “And I hope they do good things for the community and agriculture itself.”
His commitment will create opportunities for future animal science students while supporting the department’s vision to develop the global leaders in animal agriculture.