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 2026, a record $128,000 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 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.

2026 Erie County Fair Scholarship Winners are as follows:

Madison Kehr of Lawtons, NY
Maria Rumfola of East Concord, NY
Brandon de Jong of Orchard Park, NY
Addison Vergien of South Wales, NY
Autumn Andreeff of Springville, NY
Griffin Cramer of Orchard Park, NY
Jackson Shepler of Tonawanda, NY
Willa Alessi of West Seneca, NY
Charlotte Stoos of Cheektowaga, NY
Allegra Johnson of Springville, NY
Rachel Cappello of Orchard Park, NY
Julia Ford of Lake View, NY
Dinado Lograsso of Angola, NY
Brooke Vetter of East Aurora, NY
Christopher Woloszyn of Arcade, NY
Anna Thomasson of Hamburg, NY
Emma Corcoran of Tonawanda, NY
Yaser Abdollahi of Buffalo, NY
Taylor Field of Lake View, 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.

2026 Erie County Agricultural Society Scholarship Winners are as follows:

Allison Gabel of Lawtons, NY
Jacob Leitzan of West Falls, NY
Benjamin Agle of Eden, NY
Isaac Folts of North Collins, NY
Tatumn Poff of Chardon, OH
Taylor Poff of Chardon, OH
Michaela Bugman of Dalton, NY
Celes Paratore of Corfu, NY
Mulligan Palmerton of Delevan, NY
Evelyn Fisher of West Seneca, NY
Ashlyn Hackett of Arcade, NY
Amelia Hintz-Strub of Springville, NY
Kelly Niefergold of Lawtons, NY
Karli Berkheimer of Dillsburg, PA
Ginger Andrews of Boston, NY
Olivia Shawley of Randolph, NY
Emma Schmitt of Eden, NY
Allie Erhart of Cattaraugus, 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.

2026 Post-undergraduate Scholarship Winners are as follows:

Aubrey Gerhardt of East Aurora, NY
Jessica Engel of Springville, NY
Corinne Covert of Lakewood, NY
Skylar Metzger of Holland, NY