Born and raised in the Toronto area, Anita Payne holds a B.Sc. in Ecology from the University of Guelph and a M.Sc. in Plant Ecology from the University of Western Ontario. She and her husband Michael, a graduate in Agriculture from Guelph, have been married for 30 years and have two grown children.

After a few years on the family farm near Lindsay, the family moved to Ottawa, where Anita obtained a degree in Education. They then moved to Lanark County, where she was a supply teacher, chaired the Lanark County Waste Management committee and served as president of the Lake Association and the local quilt guild. When the Conservative government closed 29 Ministry of Agriculture and Food offices across the province, the Paynes moved to Stratford in 2000. Since then, Anita has run their B&B, taught high school Science, and been involved in several local organizations. She is now a telecommuter, teaching Science online at home.

A member of the Green Party since 2003, Anita is a founding member of her local, provincial and federal riding associations, and is excited to be a first-time candidate. She enjoys keeping fit and healthy by swimming, walking and cycling regularly.