Wayne Varcoe’s roots in Simcoe County go back about 150 years, when his father’s great-grandfather settled on a farm in Minesing Swamp. Wayne grew up and went to school in the east end of Barrie before attending Brock University in St. Catharines. Following his graduation with a BSc. in Biology in 1996, he joined Cliff Varcoe Limited, a local, family-owned sand and gravel operation. During his 11 years as Vice President, he gained an in-depth understanding of the issues and challenges affecting resource-based industries and the role they play in our communities and economy. He now operates the Dalston Gravel Pit for Canada Building Materials, a division of St. Mary's Cement, which acquired the family business earlier this year.

Wayne and his wife Kristen, who have two young children, are both committed to ecological principles. They have operated a small diversified family farm near Moonstone since they moved to Oro-Medonte in 2001. They also own and operate a company that provides certified organic feed and supplies to local farmers. They are members of the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario, the National Farmers Union, and Rare Breeds Canada.

Wayne is a vendor at the weekly Eco Farmers Market at Hempola Valley Farms in Dalston. He has been a coach for several minor sports organizations and a volunteer with Ducks Unlimited and the Friends of Minesing Swamp.