Whidbey Conservation District welcomes Anza Muenchow to board

Clinton resident and farm owner Anza Muenchow is the newest member of the Whidbey Island Conservation District’s Board of Supervisors.

She assumed the role this month following a February election and certification by the Washington State Conservation Commission last month, according to a recent conservation district news release. She takes over for Wendi Hiborn, who served two three-year terms.

“As of the WSCC’s May 2017 board meeting, Anza Muenchow is now the confirmed elected supervisor and will serve a three-year term until May 2020,” the press release said. “Outgoing board member Wendi Hilborn was thanked for her service by WICD staff and board supervisors at their May 24, 2017 meeting at the WICD office.”

Supervisor Ed Adams was appointed as the board’s new chairman.

Muenchow has experience with forest management and food systems. She worked for Seattle P-Patch Foundation and Washington State University Extension King County to build community gardens and micro-farms in public housing projects in Seattle and King County.

She and her husband moved to South Whidbey in 2003. For the past 14 years, they’ve lived on 45 acres in the Glendale watershed. Much of their land is in Forest Stewardship with a few acres invested in Maha Farm, their business that provides direct sales of diverse fresh produce at seasonal farmers’ markets and through a farm stand.

Muenchow currently works for WSU Extension Island County’s SNAP Ed Program, with two projects focused on building vegetable gardens for Crescent Harbor Elementary and Olympic View Elementary in Oak Harbor.