Scholarships – Sonoma County Fair and Event Center

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Bob and Leslie Kunde Job Interview Competition

Applications Due: 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 1st & In-person interviews: July 6th – 7th

Bob and Leslie Kunde were passionate supporters of the Sonoma County Fair and youth in agriculture. They strove to amplify the rich history of Sonoma County agriculture and supported the journey of young agriculturists to continue that legacy.

The purpose of this competition is to give all 4-H and FFA exhibitors of the 2026 Sonoma County Fair the opportunity to engage in the real life skills of a job interview. They will need to communicate and interview in front of a panel for a position that they would like to pursue and ‘sell themselves’ on what would make them an excellent candidate for the position. Exhibitors will be able to choose from a set of agriculture oriented companies that they would like to interview with.

Open to ages 9-18
Must be an exhibitor at the 2026 Sonoma County Fair (either Livestock or Still Exhibit)
Applicants must be a current member in good standing with their 4-H Club or FFA Chapter

Cash Awards:

Age 9 – 11: 1st place $200, 2nd place $100, 3rd place $50
Age 12 – 14: 1st place $500, 2nd place $250, 3rd place $100
Age 15 – 18: 1st place $2000, 2nd place $1250, 3rd place $800

Farm Bureau Foundation Gold Cup Award

The Farm Bureau Foundation of Sonoma County will present an award to the outstanding exhibitor at the 2026 Sonoma County Fair. The Gold Cup Award is based on leadership, citizenship, character, project work, academic achievement, speaking ability, participation and performance at the 2026 Sonoma County Fair. The award includes a $2,500 check for the winner of the Gold Cup Award. Additionally, there is a $500 cash award to the recipient’s 4-H Club or FFA Chapter. Applicants must be a resident of Sonoma or Marin County, an exhibitor at the 2025 Sonoma County Fair and a high school senior or college freshman. Applicants must be members of 4-H or FFA. A completed application and two letters of recommendation must be turned into the Farm Bureau office. Interviews with finalists will be held before the fair’s opening. Finalists will be notified about the time and date of their interview. The winner of the Gold Cup Award will be announced at the Sunday Awards Program. Further information and the Gold Cup application is available by calling 544-5575 or online at www.sonomafb.org.

Max L. Herzog Memorial Scholarship

$2,500 Cash Award

Applications Due: Tuesday, June 30th, 2026

Interviews: Friday, August 14th, 2026

The Outstanding Dairy Cattle Exhibitor Scholarship for the 2026 Sonoma County Fair is open to 4-H and FFA Dairy Cattle Exhibitors. Applicants must be exhibitors at the 2026 Sonoma County Fair, residents of Sonoma or Marin Counties, and planning to attend a university or junior college. Eligible applicants must major in Dairy Science, Agricultural Business, or another agriculture-related field.

Applications must be fully completed and returned to the Sonoma County Fair Entry Office, no later than 5:00 pm on Tuesday, June 30, 2026. Applicants will be notified of their scheduled interview time on Friday, August 14th, 2026. Scholarship winner to be announced at the Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, August 25th, 2026.

The Alvin “Babe” & Bernetta Tesconi Memorial Award

$300.00 Cash Award & Belt Buckle

Application Due: Friday, August 8 by 8:00 p.m.

Alvin “Babe” & Bernetta Tesconi raised their six children on a small farm in west Santa Rosa where they raised beef cattle, sheep, 4-H replacement heifers and an occasional hog or two.

This award is sponsored by their children; Tim, Teena, Ted, Terri, Tawny and Traci and their families. It is given in their memory to recognize the youth exhibitor that has diversified their involvement in the Fair by exhibiting at least two species of animals and non livestock exhibits. Previous winners are not eligible. Interested exhibitors should complete the one-page Award Application and submit it to the Entry Office by Friday, August 8 at 8:00 p.m. This will be awarded to the All-Around Outstanding Exhibitor based on a point system. Winner will be announced at the Awards Program.

Sonoma County Fair Flower Show Scholarship

Application Closed: 5:00 pm, Friday, May 29th

The Sonoma County Fair & Exposition Inc. will offer the following scholarships to students who have graduated from high school and are planning to attend college in the fall. Eligibility is limited to individuals pursuing a degree in an agricultural related enterprise.

1. Scholarships ranging from $1,000.00 + each will be available to students who will be attending a 4-year college in the fall of 2026.

2. Scholarships ranging from $250.00 to $500.00 each will be available to students who will be attending Santa Rosa Junior College in the fall of 2026.

These scholarships are open to any student whose family resides in Sonoma or Marin Counties.

Applications are available at the Fairgrounds Entry Office or sonomacountyfair.com. Completed applications are due in the Entry Office of the Sonoma County Fair by 5:00 p.m., Friday, May 29th. Completed applications may be emailed to entryoffice@sonomacountyfair.com. The Entry Office will schedule interviews for June 24th & 25th, 2026.

Money for these scholarships is generated from the Flower Show Preview. Recipients must be present at the Hall of Flowers Preview (Thursday, August 6th) to receive scholarship money. Recipients will be limited to a maximum of two times to receive any scholarship.

The Arthur “Big Boy” & Catherine “Honey” Kunde Memorial Award

$5,000.00 Cash Award

Application Closed: 5:00 pm, Friday, May 29th

The Richard M. Kunde and Saralee McClelland Kunde Trust will award a $5,000 scholarship. This award is in memory of his parents, long time agriculturalists and vineyard operators in the Kenwood and Glen Ellen area. Rules for the award are as follows:

A) The applicant must be a junior livestock exhibitor at the current year Sonoma County Fair.
B) A resident of Sonoma or Marin County.
C) Applicant must fill out application.
D) Applicant must be enrolled in a 4-year university or accredited Trade School in the fall and must be pursuing a degree in an agricultural related enterprise.

Award based on:

Need – 50%

Project interest and extra curricular activities – 30%

Desire to preserve Sonoma County Agriculture – 20%

Completed applications are due and must be in the Entry Office of the Sonoma County Fair by 5:00 p.m., Friday, May 29th. Applicants will be notified of interview day and time. The Entry Office will schedule interviews on June 24th or 25th, 2026. Applicants must be in full uniform at time of interview. Record Books (optional) may be brought with you to the interview. The winner will receive notification by mail and award will be presented at the Awards Program.

Deborah Stirling Memorial Award

$500 Cash Award

Applications Closed: Friday, May 29th

A strong supporter of youth in agriculture, Deborah Stirling served on the Sonoma County Fair Board of Directors for many years and was president in 2002. Deborah loved fairtime deeply. She understood how much hard work went into the exhibits, as she was a long-time 4-H leader and also a creator of beautiful needlework. Friends described Deborah as a “force of nature.” She overcame many challenges in her life and taught herself many of the skills she used to succeed. The recipient of this $500 scholarship will be:

• A recently graduated high school senior

• Someone who is showing both livestock and still exhibits in the current year’s Sonoma County Fair

• Someone who puts forth hard work in the face of adversity

• A strong leader Award sponsored by Keith Stirling, Nathalee Stirling Ghafouri and Shaun Ghafouri.

MISS WINE COUNTRY RODEO QUEEN

The 2026 Miss Wine Country Rodeo Pageant Application is available now and due by 5:00 p.m. on April 6th, 2026. Completed applications should be emailed to the Entry Office.

The Pageant will take place on Saturday, May 2nd.

All California residents, age 12-26 are eligible to participate.

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