Chinese sand-control pioneer Yin Yuzhen has been named among the FAO's 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development, a global initiative launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to recognize women who have made outstanding contributions to agriculture, food systems and rural development.

During the ceremony, Yin shared an emotional message about the people who helped her turn barren land green. She was also reunited on stage with former high school history teacher, Ronald Sakolsky, who raised $5,000 in 1999 to support her tree-planting efforts in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The pair had reunited in China earlier this year after 26 years apart.