LAPLACE – Ansley St. Pierre of LaPlace was one of nine students across the United States to receive a conference scholarship from the International Society for Agricultural Safety and Health.

The scholarship allowed St. Pierre, who recently graduated with a master’s degree of public health in environmental and occupational health from Louisiana State University, to attend a prestigious conference held from June 24-27 in Des Moines, Iowa.

Scholarship recipients were undergraduate or graduate students studying in the field of agricultural safety and health. According to organizers, students must submit and have a poster or oral presentation accepted to be eligible for this scholarship.

St. Pierre’s abstract was entitled “Farm Strong: Supporting Physical and Emotional Well-Being of Veteran Farmers.”

In addition to attending conference educational sessions, students participated in interest group meetings and had numerous opportunities to network with safety and health professionals from around the world.

Dr. Gretchen A. Mosher, ISASH Professional Improvement Co-Chair, said graduate scholarships support participation and engagement of young agricultural safety professionals, which is “critically important” to the long-term sustainability of the field.

The 185 attendees hailed from seven countries, 27 states, the District of Columbia and five Canadian provinces.