This week, Everything Co-op kicks off its observance of the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026) with a distinguished guest, Noémi Giszpenc, Executive Director of The Keystone Development Center (KDC). A nationally respected leader in cooperative development, Noémi Giszpenc brings more than two decades of experience advancing democratic ownership and community-based economic models. In her current role at KDC, she leads strategic initiatives that expand access to cooperative business development, strengthen organizational capacity, and support inclusive economic growth across sectors. Vernon and Noemi will discuss strategies for expanding cooperative ownership to support women farmers and resilient food systems.
Prior to joining KDC, Noémi served as Executive Director of the Cooperative Development Institute (CDI), where she guided the organization through significant expansion from 2009 to 2022, broadening its impact and services throughout the Northeast. She holds a master’s degree in cooperative economic development from Southern New Hampshire University and is a certified Level II facilitator in collaborative leadership and group process.
Through its work, KDC supports emerging and established cooperatives, businesses transitioning to shared ownership, and the broader ecosystem of organizations that sustain cooperative development—including nonprofits, government agencies, and philanthropic partners. Its services span education and training, technical assistance, and ecosystem-building efforts across a wide range of cooperative models, including farmer, worker, consumer, housing, and artist co-ops.
The United Nations has designated 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, recognizing the vital yet often underappreciated contributions of women across global agrifood systems. From production and processing to distribution and trade, women farmers play a central role in advancing food security, nutrition, and economic resilience. IYWF 2026 aims to elevate awareness and drive action to close gender gaps and improve livelihoods worldwide.
Don’t miss this timely and insightful conversation exploring the power of cooperation and the global movement to uplift women in agriculture.