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Giants fans find new experience in edible garden

By WTOP Staff

JANIE McCAULEY
AP Baseball Writer

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Only a few feet beyond the outstretched glove of Giants centerfielder Angel Pagan, over the outfield fence at AT&T Park, is a hidden gem unlike any other in big league baseball.

This special space has been transformed into a lush garden with kale and Swiss chard, tomatoes and avocadoes, blueberry and lemon trees, and planter boxes packed with fresh herbs that fans are encouraged to pick and sprinkle on their food.

That’s only the beginning of what can be found in this tranquil garden, believed to be a first at a U.S. sports facility. Fans can also picnic on the small sod farm, the very grass used to replace that inside the ballpark when needed.

“There’s the sustainable part of it, but there’s also the health food aspect of it,” Giants CEO Larry Baer said. “People can eat out there in a healthy way. People think ballpark, ‘I’m going to cheat on my diet or cheat on my health.’ When you come to the ballpark, you don’t have to cheat.”

The makeover this year behind the 399-foot sign where home run king Barry Bonds regularly directed fastballs, not far from where his record 756th clout landed in August 2007, has been remarkable. Fans can enjoy the nooks and crannies and relax on benches beneath all the greens.

It’s not a farmer’s market, though. One sign reads, “Edible Garden, Please Do Not Touch,” and the only thing that fans can actually eat are the herbs in designated centerpieces. Not to fear: There are still plenty of ballpark staples such as hot dogs, garlic fries, popcorn and beer.

From the 20-some cutting-edge, space-saving vertical towers that require far less soil and water to the more traditional raised beds and planter boxes, the garden is not only a magical spot in the middle of a bustling ballpark along San Francisco Bay but also an outdoor classroom to teach children and teens — even adults, for that matter — about healthy eating from fresh ingredients and urban farming.

In fact, health nut Hunter Pence took part in the late June opening ceremony and helped the Jr. Giants kids plant a seed in a cup they could take to grow at home. The right fielder received credit for some of the creative inspiration.

Pence eats a kale salad almost daily, with regular helpings of cauliflower, beets and broccoli.

“I like vegetables, and I enjoy gardens. I enjoy plants,” Pence said. “I’m sure if I was a kid and I saw whoever I looked up to saying, ‘Eat vegetables and it’s good for you,’ it makes a difference. I was lucky that my dad kind of forced me to eat healthy, I had really no option. But I grew up and appreciated that.”

The garden has its unique baseball elements, too, complete with cutouts through the wall, providing a ground-level view so fans don’t miss a key play or batting practice swing. The protective netting above the plants is being extended ahead of the next homestand to avoid a barrage of balls landing in the veggies or planter boxes — or in somebody’s plate. Pence homered to the garden shortly after it opened.

The 4,320 square-foot garden area can’t produce enough to supply the restaurants run by the Giants’ food service partner Bon Appetit Management Co., though some of the fruit, vegetables and herbs are used in recipes.

Picking a pinch of fresh basil, rosemary or thyme from the designated centerpieces to add punch to a flatbread or other meal is highly encouraged. The chocolate mint is used in a popular smoothie at one of two eateries surrounding the space. One sponsor and partner is Peet’s Coffee & Tea, which provides coffee grounds to help fertilize the soil.

“They do a lot of things here and are the first to do some innovative things,” Pence said. “They have good vision and truly do want to make an impact.”

President Barack Obama has even taken notice.

The president offered a shout out in support of the idea, saying the Giants are “champions in the community” for “what is believed to be the first ever edible garden in a major American sports facility.”

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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