Leadership for Midwestern Watersheds (LMW) is a popular forum for professionals who deliver projects that reduce agricultural runoff in watersheds of the Upper Mississippi River Basin. 

LMW is developing a “community of practice” among conservation practitioners who work to improve water quality with landowners, agencies, and businesses, one watershed at a time. 

The annual LMW meeting series features presentations and facilitated discussions on subjects essential to successful watershed projects. Examples include: farmer engagement, geospatial planning tools, project financing, and water quality monitoring. 

To date, more than 200 attendees from Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and beyond have participated, including many watershed projects supported by state nutrient reduction programs and USDA-NRCS Landscape Conservation Initiatives.

Sand County Foundation, American Farmland Trust, North Central Region Water Network, and the Iowa Soybean Association have coordinated the LMW since 2011. Financial support comes from the McKnight Foundation, and state and federal agencies provide guidance. 

Meeting #9 (2018, Winona, MN): Measuring Progress Towards Environmental, Social, and Economic Outcomes

* Proceedings

* Measuring Economic, Social, and Environmental Outcomes in the Upper Macoupin Creek RCPP Project – Kris Reynolds, American Farmland Trust

 * Tracking Social Engagement in Agricultural Watershed Projects - Ken Genskow, University of Wisconsin-Madison

 * The Cedar River Watershed Project (MN) – Kevin Kruize, Land O’Lakes SUSTAIN; Justin Hanson, Mower County SWCD; and Brad Redlin, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

 * The Root River Field to Stream Partnership (MN) – Kevin Kuehner, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

 * Headwaters of the North Raccoon River Watershed Project (IA) – Lee Gravel, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

 * Assessing Water Quality and Flood Risk with the Iowa Watershed Approach - Larry Weber, University of Iowa College of Engineering

 * Water Quality Targeting Success Stories - How to Achieve Measurably Cleaner Water through Farm Conservation Watershed Projects - Michelle Perez, American Farmland Trust

 * Minnesota’s “One Watershed, One Plan” – LeAnn Buck, Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts

 * NRCS National Conservation Initiatives – Martin Lowenfish, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Meeting #8 (2017, Moline, IL): Social Science and Farm-Level Decision Making

• • Proceedings
  • Barriers and Solutions in Working with Land Managers to Promote Conservation – Bret Shaw, University of Wisconsin-Madison
    
  • Engaging Middle Adopter Decision Making Farmers – Ryan Stockwell, National Wildlife Federation
    
  • Effective Communications between Farmers and Service Providers - Al Bennett, Compeer Financial
    
  • Lyons Creek Watershed Project: Lessons Learned from Partner & Participant Reflections - Andrew Stephenson and Mitch Avery, University of Northern Iowa
  • EPA updates: Gulf Hypoxia Task Force and 319 Grant Program - Katie Flahive, Environmental Protection Agency
  • Strategies for “Getting to Scale”: Expanding Successful Approaches from a Few Watersheds to Many – Rebecca Power, University of Wisconsin Environmental Resources Center
• Meeting #7 (2016, Dubuque, IA): Economic drivers in agriculture and watershed management
  • Proceedings
  • Farm Economics 101 – Chat Hart, Iowa State University
  • Phosphorus Adaptive Management Project – Dave Taylor, Madison Metro Sewerage District
    
  • Environmental vs. Economic Performance: Are They Really Competing? – Dave Muth, AgSolver
  • The Resource Stewardship Evaluation Tool – Marty Adkins, NRCS
  • Incorporating Economic Efficiency into Watershed Planning – Adam Kiel, Iowa Soybean Association
  • Connecting Watersheds: Economic Resources, Projects and Partnerships – City of Dubuque
• Meeting #6 (2016, Milan, IL): Implementing state nutrient reduction strategies: RCPP and soil health
• Meeting #5 (2015, Sycamore, IL): Beginning Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) projects
• Meeting #4 (2013, Madison, WI): Project organization and governance
• Meeting #3 (2012, Ankeny, IA): Engaging farmers and scaling up lessons learned from watershed projects
• Meeting #2 (2011, Ankeny, IA): Measuring results
• Meeting #1 (2011, La Crosse, WI): Goals, project design, and the Mississippi River Basin Initiative (MRBI)