Katelyn Katzer

First and foremost, I attribute my success to my family. When I changed my major early on, my parents were incredibly supportive, and they continued to encourage me as I found my place within the planning sector. I would not have been able to dedicate the time and energy I have to this program without their, and my husband's, constant support and understanding.

I am also deeply grateful for the support of our County Commissioners and their strong commitment to preserving and strengthening agriculture in our community. Without their leadership and recognition of agriculture’s importance, this program would not have achieved the level of success it has today.

Equally important has been the support of our farming community. Building trust took time. It required patience, consistency, and a genuine commitment to showing that I was there to support—not regulate or hinder—their work. I believe success is rarely individual; it is built by the many people who believe in you, your vision, and the work you are striving to accomplish. In many ways, it truly takes a village.

The best career advice I have received is to pursue every opportunity to expand your knowledge through courses, trainings, and professional licensing. Continuously investing in your education not only deepens your understanding of your industry, but also broadens the range of career paths available to you. It helps prevent becoming overly specialized too early and keeps you adaptable as industries evolve.

In a smaller or highly competitive field, maintaining a diverse skill set can be especially valuable. It positions you to identify and pursue opportunities that others may overlook and ensures you remain competitive in a sometimes saturated market.

I would encourage young women entering this industry to explore different areas of planning early in their careers. Gaining exposure to a variety of roles and specialties helps build a well-rounded foundation and provides clarity about where your strengths and interests truly align. Early career movement in your twenties, whether through internships or different positions, is not only expected, but encouraged in developing perspective and confidence before making long-term commitments to a job.

Internships, in particular, can be instrumental in shaping career direction. I have seen firsthand how those early experiences can open doors. One former intern, for example, now works in the same office where she first began building her professional foundation and found her calling in preservation through the internship opportunity with my program. Another has applied to work with the State in their Farmland Preservation Program. I am thrilled to see these young women finding their passions and reaching for them.

One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is balancing the restrictions of preservation programs with continually evolving state regulations. As new requirements related to stormwater, wastewater, and other environmental standards are implemented, preservation programs must be flexible enough to work within those frameworks. Otherwise, we risk unintentionally hindering the growth, viability, and long-term sustainability of the very farms we worked so hard to protect.

For example, when a farmer needs to construct a barn, additional impervious coverage may trigger stormwater management requirements. However, preservation program guidelines can sometimes be unclear in these situations. We need more definitive guidance to ensure we are not creating barriers to a farmer’s operational needs, while still protecting farmland and complying with updated regulations. Striking that balance is critical.

At the same time, there are significant opportunities in the field. Support for agriculture within the broader community continues to grow. Through strong partnerships with agricultural organizations and ongoing collaboration with the State Legislature, agricultural viability remains an active and largely bipartisan conversation. This has led to expanded grant opportunities, increased program support, and a shared commitment to ensuring that regulations ultimately strengthen, rather than burden, agriculture in our State.

Authenticity is the value I hold most important in both my professional and personal life. Leading with sincerity allows me to build trust, particularly when working with farmers in the context of a government program, where skepticism can understandably exist. By approaching every interaction with honesty, transparency, and integrity, I am able to cultivate meaningful relationships and foster confidence in both the work I do and the programs I represent.