Scholarships

For 186 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 2025, a record $105,000 was awarded to deserving students.

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 Winter Ball Scholarship Fundraiser. 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
Awards up to $1,500 Scholarships to selected candidates.
To be eligible for this scholarship:

• 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, and the Pepsi All-Star band.
• Be enrolling or enrolled in an accredited college or university. You or your school does not have to be located in New York State.

The Erie County Agricultural Society Scholarship
Awards up to $10,000 Scholarships to selected candidates.
To be eligible for this scholarship:

• 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: You may be asked to participate in an interview by the committee.

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

New York Association of Agricultural Fairs and New York State Showpeople's Association Scholarship

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 and will submit it for you. Our website www.nyfairs.org offers a complete list of our member fairs.

Find out more information here

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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.

2025 Erie County Fair Scholarship Winners are as follows:

• Madison Kehr of Lawtons, NY
• Haley Kehr of Lawtons, NY
• Grace Czech of East Aurora, NY
• Autumn Andreeff of Springville, NY
• Addison Vergien of South Wales, NY
• William Migas of Lake View, NY
• Nathan Jegierski of Alden, NY
• Maria Rumfola of East Concord, NY
• Ava Vergien of South Wales, NY
• Jacob Domzalski of Orchard Park, NY
• Rachel Cappello of Orchard Park, 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. The recipient or their school does not have to be located in New York State.

2025 Erie County Agricultural Society Scholarship Winners are as follows:

• Allison Gabel of Lawtons, NY
• Kelly Niefergold of Lawtons, NY
• William Niefergold of Springville, NY
• Taylor Poff of Chardon, OH
• Jacob Leitzan of West Falls, NY
• J. Isaac Folts of North Collins, NY
• Erin Hayes of Holland, NY
• Evelyn Fisher of West Seneca, NY
• Allison McNamara of East Aurora, NY
• Amelia Hintz-Strub of Springville, NY
• Holly Niefergold of Lawtons, NY

Post-undergrad Scholarship
The Erie County Agricultural Society awarded scholarships to students who previously received an Erie County Fair or Erie County Agricultural Society Scholarship and are continuing their education toward a master's or PhD degree.

2025 Post-undergraduate Scholarship Winners are as follows:

• Aubrey Gerhardt of Marilla, NY
• Rachel Kehr of Lawtons, NY
• Jessica Engel of Springville, NY
• Jack Niefergold of Springville, NY

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