Hunterdon Land Trust (HLT) is proud to announce the permanent preservation of the 32-acre Hidden Spring Farm in Raritan Township, owned by Lynn Becker, Secretary of the HLT Board of Trustees. The farm was preserved through the New Jersey State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC), marking an important milestone in both Lynn’s personal journey and the broader effort to protect Hunterdon County’s agricultural land.
Lynn and her husband, Walter “Bud” Becker, had been exploring farmland preservation for years, motivated by a shared desire to safeguard their land’s agricultural value and natural resources. After Bud’s passing in 2024, Lynn remained committed to completing the process they had started together.
“It is what Bud would have wanted,” Lynn said. “We both believed deeply in keeping this land open, productive, and part of the agricultural community. Preserving the farm ensures that the landscape we loved will remain protected forever.”
Preserving New Jersey farms is now further incentivized by SADC’s new farmland preservation funding formula, launched in 2025. The updated approach provides enhanced compensation to landowners based on the agricultural and natural resource qualities of their property. Additional voluntary restrictions, such as limits on impervious cover or residential building size, can further increase an easement’s value, allowing landowners to tailor protections to meet their vision for long-term stewardship.
“There has never been a better time to preserve your farm in New Jersey,” said Jacqueline Middleton, HLT Senior Director of Land Acquisition and Stewardship. “The new funding formula has been a powerful tool in further incentivizing farmers and ensuring that more crucial farmland is preserved to support local agriculture for future generations. We are thrilled to celebrate Lynn’s leadership and her commitment to land preservation.”
Lynn noted that seeing HLT’s conservation work up close since joining the Board of Trustees in 2021 strengthened her own resolve to protect the farm.
“Through the time I have been involved with HLT, I have come to more deeply understand the value of land preservation,” said Lynn. “I’m proud to be part of their efforts to foster healthy ecosystems in Hunterdon County, and I’m glad that I was able to make an impact through my own farm.”
The preservation of Hidden Spring Farm contributes to a growing network of protected agricultural lands in the region. These conserved lands help maintain local food production, protect natural resources, and sustain the scenic viewsheds that define Hunterdon County’s unique character.
Hunterdon Land Trust is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with the mission to foster healthy ecosystems and communities in the Hunterdon County region through permanent preservation of open space and farmland, stewardship of natural resources, and cultivation of the Dvoor Farm as a center for inspiration, education, and connection. To date, the organization has helped protect more than 12,600 acres. To learn more, visit www.hunterdonlandtrust.org.
