For more than a year, students at Berry College have been gaining real-world business experience through participation in a new program promoting the formation of on-campus, student-operated enterprises. Participants in this award-winning complement to the college’s famed Work Experience Program will showcase the fruits of their labor Saturday, July 24, at an on-campus farmers market featuring Berry-raised beef, herbs and produce from the gardens, as well as numerous other items for sale by local vendors.

This is the third farmers market hosted by Berry College Student Enterprises since the first pilot enterprises were launched in 2009. Previous events have resulted in huge crowds and empty shelves for the student vendors.

“The response has been overwhelming in the past,” said Erika Chester, marketing and communications director for the Berry Enterprises Student Team, a student consulting group that provides specialized assistance for other student-operated enterprises. “This is an opportunity for good exposure as we highlight the work being done by Berry students who are launching, growing and maintaining businesses.”

As many as 40 vendors are expected to set up shop along the tree-lined drive connecting The Cottages at Berry and the Ford Buildings. A wide variety of fresh produce will be available, along with other items such as handmade jewelry, bath and beauty products, handmade children’s toys, home-canned vegetables, jams and jellies, fresh-cut flowers, woodworking items, and home-baked breads and pastries. There will also be games, refreshments and pet adoptions.

A total of six student-operated enterprises will take part, including The Berry Farms Angus Beef, which will offer $5 lunch specials from noon to 2 p.m. Other participating enterprises include The Berry Farms Martha’s Herbs, The Berry Farms Season’s Harvest, The Berry Farms Jersey Beef, The Berry Farms Genetics Enterprise and The Berry Alumni Collection.

Hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. Call 423-802-9487 or e-mail Erika.chester@vikings.berry.edu for more information.

Learn more about Berry College Student Enterprises at www.berrystudententerprises.com.