This article was in the Community section of the Times-Herald on Sunday, October 13, 2019. The story and photos are by Richard Freedman rfreedman@timesheraldonline.com @richfreedmanvth on Twitter
Lea Sorrentino didn’t have to consult a “Baby Names” book or ask friends or family members.
The Benicia 8-year-old said “Mabel” and “Ginger” simply “came to my head” and there you have it. And with the two female baby goats at Loma Vista Farm in Vallejo named, the two male goats aren’t far off from being called something other than “hey, goats” with a contest on Oct. 19 at the animal sanctuary’s Harvest Festival.
The young student earned the right to name the two goats by raising $600 in donations earlier this year as the farm added new fencing with other security measures pending.
“I’m very proud of her,” said Tara Sorrentino, Lea’s mom, joining her daughter, Loma Vista Farm’s executive director Julia Allen and “Farmer” Rita LeRoy in an informal “naming-of-the-goats” Thursday afternoon.
Mom Sorrentino added that she’s “really proud” of her daughter raising the cash for the beloved farm, a popular attraction for students in Solano and surrounding counties. And
“she did it in a week-and-a-half,” mom noted. 
Not that it was surprising, since Lea’s been attracted to animals “since she could walk. She wants to be a vet when she’s older. She loves every animal she comes across,” mom Sorrentino said.
Uh, even a snake?
“Sure, if they don’t hurt me,” said Lea.
It’s not as if the Sorrento family needs to visit Loma Vista to connect with animals. The family has its own petting farm at home: two guinea pigs, a hamster, two dogs, and a fish.
Lea, however, isn’t done. She wants a horse.
“I could ride a horse to school since we’re not allowed to walk,” Lea said.
Uh, where in the world would a kid park a horse?
“In the parking lot,” Lea reasoned.
The student and the newly-named goats were introduced with Lea provided a pale of food by LeRoy and became instant friends with the kids. The two much smaller boy goats frolicked in the pen close by.
As far as LeRoy knows, it’s the first time goats were named by a child and the pillar of the farm is grateful it was Lea “because she’ kind and thoughtful.”
LeRoy puts little plaques up for all the farm animals that includes the animals’ name, birth date and breed and for Mabel and Ginger, it’ll say “named by Lea.”
“It’s like having an extended family,” Tara Sorrentino said smiling.
