Scholarships

For 184 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 2024, a record $72,000 was awarded to deserving students.

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

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
$1,000+ Scholarships will be awarded.
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, and the 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 $5,000+ Scholarships to selected candidates.
To be eligible for this scholarship you must:

• 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.

New York Association of Agricultural Fairs and New York State Showpeople's Association Scholarship
Student must submit his/her complete application no later than April 4, 2025

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

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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.

2024 Erie County Fair Scholarship Winners are as follows:

• Grace Czech of East Aurora, NY
• Skylar Metzger of Holland, NY
• Haley Kehr of Lawtons, NY
• Addison Vergien of South Wales, NY
• Madison Kehr of Lawtons, NY
• Autumn Andreeff of Springville, NY
• Jack Niefergold of Springville, NY
• McKayla Ruhland of Colden, NY
• Ava Vergien of South Wales, NY
• Maria Rumfola of East Concord, 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.

2024 Erie County Agricultural Society Scholarship Winners are as follows:

• Holly Niefergold of Lawtons, NY
• Aubrey Gerhardt of Marilla, NY
• Alison McNamara of East Aurora, NY
• Allison Gabel of Lawtons, NY
• Isaac Folts of North Collins, NY
• Kelly Niefergold of Lawtons, NY
• Amelia Hintz-Strub of East Aurora, NY
• Erika Conhiser of Arcade, NY

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