Somerset County farmland preservation leader honored by Influential Women

By AI, Created 5:41 PM UTC, May 29, 2026, /AGP/ – Katelyn Katzer, Somerset County’s Farmland Preservation Manager and Agriculture Development Board Administrator, is being recognized for expanding farmland preservation, farmer support and land stewardship in New Jersey. Her work has helped preserve nearly 9,000 acres and strengthen one of the state’s most active preservation programs.

Why it matters: - Somerset County’s farmland preservation work affects local food supply, farm viability and long-term land use across one of New Jersey’s key agricultural regions. - Katzer’s leadership has helped keep farmland in production while giving farm families more options for operations, expansion, succession planning and retirement. - The program’s success also shows how county, state and nonprofit partnerships can translate preservation policy into acres protected on the ground.

What happened: - Katelyn Katzer, Somerset County’s Farmland Preservation Manager and Somerset County Agriculture Development Board Administrator, was recognized by Influential Women for her work in agricultural sustainability and land stewardship. - Katzer leads Somerset County’s Farmland Preservation Program. - She has nearly two decades of experience in environmental planning. - Her career has included work in soil conservation, water quality protection, open space preservation and public recreation planning. - The Somerset County program was previously dormant when Katzer took it over as the sole administrator. - Katzer led a revitalization effort built around planning, outreach and organizational improvements.

The details: - Somerset County says Katzer’s work has helped preserve about 1,600 additional acres of farmland during her tenure. - Those preserved acres represent more than $10 million in preserved easement value. - The county continues to steward and monitor more than 130 preserved farms annually. - Somerset County has now helped preserve nearly 9,000 acres of farmland overall. - The program maintains one of the most active preservation pipelines in New Jersey. - Katzer’s day-to-day work also covers more than 135 preserved farms. - Her responsibilities include helping farmers navigate Right-to-Farm matters and resolving disputes with neighbors and municipalities. - She also supports agricultural families using preservation funding for operations, expansion, succession planning or retirement. - Katzer has worked with state agencies, municipalities, nonprofit organizations and the farming community to strengthen local food systems and protect agricultural heritage. - The county program has received awards and legislative recognition for its contribution to farmland preservation and agricultural sustainability. - State organizations have described the Somerset County program as “cutting edge.” - Katzer’s early career included positions with the Freehold Soil Conservation District and the Monmouth County Park System. - She later expanded into state-level environmental policy and regulatory development work.

Between the lines: - Katzer’s rise shows how specialized county roles can become regional policy engines when they combine technical expertise with farmer trust. - Her emphasis on transparency and practical support reflects a broader shift in preservation work: protecting farmland is not just about buying easements, but about making farming easier to sustain. - She also points to a tension in New Jersey agriculture, where environmental regulations can protect resources but sometimes add cost and complexity to farm improvements. - Katzer argues for clearer, more adaptable guidance that protects environmental goals without making farms less competitive.

What’s next: - Katzer expects farmland preservation to keep advancing through public support for local agriculture and bipartisan cooperation among agricultural organizations, preservation advocates and state legislators. - Somerset County’s next challenge is balancing preservation with stormwater, wastewater and other compliance requirements that can affect farm infrastructure projects. - Katzer encourages young women entering environmental planning and preservation to build skills through internships, temporary roles and broad early-career experience. - She also says ongoing training, certifications, licensing and education will remain important in a fast-changing field.

The bottom line: - Katzer’s recognition reflects a broader lesson in New Jersey farmland policy: preservation works best when it helps farmers stay productive, not just when it locks up acreage.