Life

Park service honors Sandburg goat tenders

FRESH volunteers and Carl Sandburg Home staff receiving the Hartzog Volunteer Youth Group Award were, from left, Sue Janowiak, Tyrone Brandyburg, Janene Donovan, Anna Yokote, Jason Brandyburg, Lina Yokote, National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis, Katie

By Bill Moss, Published: July 11, 2014

FLAT ROCK — The National Park Service and National Park Foundation honored Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site youth volunteers during a meeting in Washington on June 25.

FRESH — Flat Rock Exceptional Sandburg Helpers —received the Hartzog Volunteer Youth Group Award. Last year, 44 youth volunteers between the ages of 11 and 15 provided care for the descendants of Mrs. Sandburg's champion dairy goat herd that live at the park. The youth spent 1,560 hours working with the park's staff and other volunteers, including 4H mentors. They learned about the goats and the history of the dairy goat industry. The youth handled, groomed and fed the goats.
The award is named for former National Park Service Director George B. Hartzog, Jr. who started the Volunteers-In-Parks (VIP) Program in 1970 with 300 participants. Last year, more than 246,000 volunteers donated 6.7 million hours of time and talent to help preserve and protect national parks. Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site is a unit of the National Park Service.