About Us
We support farmer leadership and collaborative action, so farms and fish thrive together
On the map below, zoom in to see streams near your home.
The Basin...
Is drained by 12 major tributaries and 30,700 miles of streams;
Is inhabited by 30 million people, 80% of whom live in urban areas;
Is the only U.S. river system designated as both a nationally significant navigation system and a nationally significant ecosystem;
Supports more than 11 million recreational trips annually — more than most national parks, including Yellowstone;
Has a landscape that is more than 60% cropland and pasture.
Our Work
Each year Fishers & Farmers Partnership awards funds to local, farmer-driven projects in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. Professionally facilitated workshops and other neighbor-to-neighbor programs bring soil health and watershed groups together to hear real-life success stories, share experiences, ask important questions, build skills, reflect and strategize as local teams. To help rural communities reach their own goals, we offer science-based agriculture and stream health resources that put a lens on published information and technical services relevant to them.
Our Approach
Shared work, flexible funding, and productive relationships between landowners, agriculture, and conservation organizations is our goal. We connect people and empower landowners to act for themselves, their communities and the greater good. As a self-directed association of non-government groups, tribal organizations, and state and federal agencies we have the freedom to listen, innovate, and act responsively.
Our activities spring from goals in Fishers & Farmers Partnership’s Strategic Plan, which is updated every three years.
Leadership
Our Steering Committee helps shape partnership priorities and guide funding decisions. Voluntary participation fosters a strong sense of ownership among members. By reviewing proposals, evaluating results, and strategically allocating resources, the committee drives collaborative and impactful conservation efforts.
Sherry Fischer, Missouri Department of Conservation (FFP Chair)
Kristin Bouska, USGS - Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
Brandon Iddings, Iowa Soybean Association
Ben Lubinski, Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Craig Soupir, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Bradd Sims, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Mike Siepker, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Dick Cates, Wisconsin Producer
Emily Zimmerman, The Nature Conservancy of Wisconsin
Haleigh Summers, Sand County Foundation
Luke Haggerty, Minnesota Corn Growers Association
Staff
Under the direction of the Steering Committee, staff provide leadership and support for opperations, communication, and science efforts.
Heidi Keuler (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service) leads Opperations, which focuses on building relationships with landowners, identifying priority conservation areas, and supporting project implementation. She also manages Steering Committee activities and helps guide basin-wide strategies.
Amy Smith (Habitat for Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Region) leads Communications, working to strengthen outreach systems and expand the impact of Fishers & Farmers initiatives. Through innovative programming, digital platforms, and strategic partnerships, this work highlights landowner-led projects and inspires broader efforts to improve soil health and conserve fish habitat.
Jodi Whitter (University of Missouri) leads the Science Team, which provides science-based support for decision-making. The team analyzes national and regional habitat assessments and monitoring data, develops recommendations, and creates educational resources for outreach.
Petition to Join
Interested organizations may join upon request with steering committee approval. If your group shares our vision and will contribute time, expertise, funding or other resources to improve farms and fish habitat, contact Fishers & Farmers Partnership coordinator, Heidi Keuler.
Affiliation
Fishers & Farmers Partnership is a member of the National Fish Habitat Partnership whose mission is to protect, restore and enhance aquatic communities in the United States through partnerships that foster fish habitat conservation and improve life for people. In the Midwest, we are aligned with four other Midwest Fish Habitat Partnerships: Trout Unlimited – Driftless Area Restoration Effort; Midwest Glacial Lakes Fish Habitat Partnership; Ohio River Basin Fish Habitat Partnership; Great Lakes Basin Fish Habitat Partnership.
