Scholarships

Thank you to everyone who applied. Applications are now CLOSED.

For over 183 years, the Erie County Agricultural Society has had the privilege of impacting lives of the people in the WNY community. One way we have been able to give back is by providing the opportunity for young adults to receive one of our Scholarships.

The Erie County Fair and Erie County Agricultural Society offers two scholarship programs annually as part of an effort to foster education and success to students of the area. These scholarships will be awarded to deserving high school seniors and college students up to their junior year. In 2023, a record $50,000 was awarded to deserving students.

The application for both the Erie County Fair and Erie County Agricultural Society Scholarship are the same.

Deadline to submit application: April 12, 2024

These opportunities are made available to students who participate in the Erie County Fair and ECAS-sponsored activities. Scholarship funding comes from ECAS membership and partner donations, along with proceeds from Erie County Fair programs including Breakfast With Champions, recycling, and from the silent auction of the pieces created by the Chainsaw Artist and Glassblower each year at the Fair, plus the Holiday Ball. Since its inception in the 1950s, the goal of the scholarship program has been to connect the region’s students with agriculture, business, and volunteerism.

The Erie County Fair Scholarship *Five $1,000 Scholarships will be awarded.* To be eligible for this scholarship you must:	The Erie County Agricultural Society Scholarship Awards $5,000+ Scholarships to selected candidates. To be eligible for this scholarship you must:
These students must have participated in the Erie County Fair in some capacity in order to be eligible. Participation includes but is not limited to employment, exhibition, volunteering, All-Star band, or other performances. Be enrolling or enrolled in an accredited college or university. You or your school does not have to be located in New York State.	Limited to students who are pursuing an agriculture related career. Must be able to describe how their field of study will help them in their agricultural endeavors. Be enrolling or enrolled in an accredited college or university. You or your school does not have to be located in New York State. Note that you may be asked to participate in an interview by the committee.

2023 Scholarship Recipients

The Erie County Agricultural Society and the Erie County Fair have awarded scholarships to deserving high school seniors and college students (through their junior year).

Erie County Fair Scholarship
Scholarships were open to any student who participates in any of the Erie County Fair departments, activities, or operations. Direct involvement was required. The recipient or their school does not have to be located in New York State.

2023 Erie County Fair Scholarship Winners are as follows:

Rachel Kehr of Lawtons NY.
Haley Kehr of Lawtons NY.
Dylan Kehr of Lawtons NY.
Skylar Metzger of Holland NY.
Taylor Schofield of Pavilion NY.
Jack Niefergold of Springville NY.
Maria Rumfola of East Concord NY.
Matthew Domzalsk of Orchard Park NY.
Benjamin Timmel of Collins NY.
Haley Martin of Boston NY.

Erie County Agricultural Society Scholarship
The Erie County Agricultural Society awarded scholarships to students who are pursuing a career in agriculture or ag-related fields. Students must be enrolled in an accredited university for Fall and must be able to explain how their course of study will help them to achieve a career in agriculture. The scholarships sought individuals who are working parallel to the Erie County Agricultural Society's mission statement, "to preserve and enhance the agricultural and historical legacy of New York State." The recipient or their school does not have to be located in New York State.

2023 Erie County Agricultural Society Scholarship Winners are as follows:

Holly Niefergold of Lawtons, NY.
Aubrey Gerhardt of East Aurora, NY.
Jessica Engel of Springville, NY.
Jennifer Hoelscher of Eden, NY.
Alison McNamara of East Aurora, NY.
Allison Gabel of Lawtons, NY.
Ella Wierzba of Boston, NY.

New York Association of Agricultural Fairs and New York State Showpeople's Association Scholarship
Student must submit his/her complete application no later than the first Friday in April, 2024

The NYSAAF and NYSSA offer an annual scholarship program which is available to students who are New York State residents, who currently are (or have previously been) active in a fair that is a member of the NYSAAF or the NYSSA and who plan to attend (or already attend) college in pursuit of a degree. The fair where you have been active or the NYSSA must endorse your application. Our website www.nyfairs.org offers a complete list of our member fairs.

Find out more information here