Solution Secure permanent agricultural conservation easements on privately held floodplain farmland and implement farm-level Agricultural Conservation Plans to improve soil health and reduce runoff and flood impacts. Key challenge Runoff-driven water quality degradation and flood risk in an interconnected watershed spanning urban and rural areas, requiring durable protection of productive floodplain farmland and adoption of conservation practices. Context The Milwaukee River and connected streams face excessive phosphorus, sediment and bacteria from runoff across both urban and rural landscapes, threatening watershed health. Protecting productive farmland along waterways is positioned as vital for preserving the watershed and strengthening resilience to severe weather. The Working Soils® Program focuses on permanently protecting privately held working lands within the watershed floodplain while keeping them in agricultural production. Solution in practice The Conservation Fund works with landowners to secure agricultural easements on priority floodplain parcels, allowing owners to retain title and continue farming while permanently restricting uses inconsistent with conservation goals. Participating landowners and operators then collaborate with Natural Resources Conservation Service staff to implement an Agricultural Conservation Plan intended to enhance soil health and proactively mitigate future flooding. The Milwaukee River Watershed Conservation Partnership was created to coordinate collaboration and investment in conservation practices, and from 2016–2021 NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (Farm Bill) funding supported targeted activities and results. Impact / outcome Permanent easements on priority floodplain farmland with farm conservation plans (NRCS funding 2016-2021). Next steps The Making Allies partnership initiative is now actively continuing to safeguarding floodplains, mitigating flood risk, preserving agricultural lands, improving water quality and delivering nutritious food — all while offering valuable support to local farmers. Organizations involved Authoring: The Conservation Fund Actors: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS); Milwaukee River Watershed Conservation Partnership Implementation partners Civil Society Organizations; Regulators & Policymakers; Infrastructure Owners & Operators