Missouri Department of Conservation

Missouri Department of Conservation: A Lasting Force Behind Fishers & Farmers Partnership

For decades, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has been a steady, driving force for collaborative conservation in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. Long before the Fishers & Farmers Partnership (FFP) launched its first funded project, MDC was already working shoulder‑to‑shoulder with producers, landowner committees, and conservation organizations to improve streams, restore habitat, and strengthen agricultural operations across Missouri’s watersheds. Their leadership, vision, and on‑the‑ground experience not only shaped the success of early conservation efforts in the Bourbeuse and Meramec Rivers—they also helped shape FFP’s identity itself. 

Early Leadership Rooted in Local Relationships

MDC’s approach has long centered on building trust with local landowners. In the early 2000s, MDC staff helped catalyze the Lower Bourbeuse Landowner Committee, a group that became one of the most effective farmer‑led watershed networks in the region. Through years of direct engagement, MDC worked with dozens of producers to identify shared priorities and design conservation solutions that made sense for working farms. This commitment to listening first and co‑designing solutions created a model that aligned perfectly with the emerging vision of Fishers & Farmers Partnership. 

A Foundational Role in FFP’s First Project

When FFP launched its first funded project in 2009, MDC was already deeply embedded in the Bourbeuse/Meramec community. Staff such as Rob Pulliam, who had been working in the watershed for years, provided the technical expertise, landowner relationships, and practical insight that made the project possible.  

MDC helped connect landowners to cost‑share opportunities, guided project design, and ensured a smooth, accessible process. Their long‑term relationships gave FFP a strong foundation and demonstrated how conservation succeeds when farmers are fully at the table. This early collaboration became a cornerstone of FFP’s identity—showing that durable, practical conservation requires trust, continuity, and landowner leadership. 

Service Beyond the Watershed: MDC’s Regional and Partnership Leadership

MDC’s impact extends far beyond on‑the‑ground project support. Staff from the agency have served on— and chaired—the Fishers & Farmers Steering Committee for years, helping guide strategy, funding priorities, outreach, and long‑term vision for the entire Upper Mississippi River Basin.  

Their involvement has ensured that FFP remains grounded in: 

• Practical conservation that supports working farms 
• Farmer‑centered decision‑making 
• Science‑based priorities 
• Long‑term watershed outcomes 

MDC has also invested directly in helping FFP tell its story. They funded a large-scale, farmer-focused video series that captures the voices of landowners, conservation partners, and FFP founders—ensuring that lessons from Missouri and beyond can inspire others throughout the watershed.  

Missouri Dept of Conservation YouTube Videos

A Conservation Partner That Makes Things Possible

Whether in Missouri or across the broader Upper Mississippi River Basin, MDC’s contributions to FFP share common themes: 

• Deep relationships with landowners built on trust
• Technical expertise in stream restoration, grazing systems, and habitat improvement 
• Consistent leadership within FFP’s steering committee 
• Financial support for communication, outreach, and storytelling
• Vision that helps FFP evolve while staying rooted in farmer‑led principles 

Put simply: MDC has been, and continues to be, one of the partnership’s strongest champions.