by Miranda G. McLeod
Staff Writer
Martha Leverock is a busy lady this time of year. As President and CEO of the Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair, Leverock stays occupied with activities to assure the fair is the best that it can be every year. Leverock started with the fair in 1978 as a part-time employee and kept moving up the fair’s corporate ladder. “I love this industry,” said Leverock. “Life is too short to do something you don’t like.” She is currently director of the Florida Federation of Fairs and is past president of the same federation. Leverock said she loves watching the children at the fair. As a graduate with a degree in secondary education, Leverock was fortunate to be a stay-at-home mom. “I would do that time again in a heart beat,” she said. Being at the fair allows Leverock to continue that time with children. “One day it was 11 at night before I got back to my office. I love watching the children when they see the rides and the cotton candy,” she said. “Their eyes get so big and they are so excited.” The primary goal at the fair isn’t the $5 rides or $3 games; it’s education. “Youth education on agriculture is very important,” said Leverock, adding last year, the fair gave out nine scholarships to high school seniors. “We’re chartered as an educational event.”