For 22-year-old Ping Chen, farming is not only about the land. It is also about branding, social media, public participation and the connections young people can build across cultures.

As the new media operator of Tomato Farm, an organic agricultural venture in Shanghai, Ping joined the 2026 Acceleration Week for Global Youth Development Programs, where he introduced "Future from the Field", an initiative that aims to draw more young people toward agriculture through education, branding and public engagement.

"China is a major agricultural country," he said. "We believe the future for young people can be rooted in the land."

Held in Shanghai and Wuhan, Hubei province, from June 11 to 17, the event brought together more than 170 youth-led initiatives from over 70 countries and regions. Covering fields from technological innovation to green development, the program provided a platform for young changemakers to present their work, strengthen their skills and build international partnerships.

With an average team age of just 25, Tomato Farm focuses on agricultural branding and rural revitalization through innovation. It cultivates more than 300 tomato varieties from over 30 countries and has developed a digital ecological farming system.

"Growing such a wide range of varieties makes our products more international and reflects our commitment to agricultural diversity," Ping said. "It also helps us reduce risks, as a single natural disaster or pest outbreak is less likely to affect all crops."

Still an undergraduate majoring in exhibition economy and management as well as media design, Ping applies classroom knowledge to farming practice. He organizes open-farm events, allows visitors to experience agricultural work firsthand and shares daily operations through social media.

"By showing our day-to-day work, we build trust with consumers," he said. "They are no longer just buyers — they become part of the farm's story."

Another young participant using innovation to renew tradition is 23-year-old Bui Thi Hong Van from Vietnam.

Bui serves as business development manager of Maypaperflower, a project dedicated to revitalizing the 300-year-old Thanh Tien paper flower craft. The initiative combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design, sustainable approaches and digital tools.

Bui said Thanh Tien paper flowers, originally used mainly in spiritual and cultural ceremonies in central Vietnam, were nearing extinction about a decade ago. Only a few artisan families remained, as younger generations left for work elsewhere and the market continued to shrink.

"We realized that preserving this heritage meant not only safeguarding techniques, but also creating new opportunities and a sustainable future for the people who keep the craft alive," she said.

The team has since reimagined Thanh Tien paper flowers for modern lifestyles, blending traditional techniques with contemporary aesthetics and Vietnamese cultural storytelling. For example, the lotus flower — long seen in Vietnamese culture as a symbol of purity and resilience — has been reinterpreted as a minimalist decorative item while preserving its cultural essence.

Today, more than 100 artisans and community members are involved in preserving the craft through Maypaperflower, whose products reach customers in over 20 countries.

The project also creates job opportunities for women and people with disabilities. Bui recalled a local woman who once believed her disability would limit her future but has since become a skilled artisan earning a stable income from home.

"Cultural preservation is not only about saving traditions. It is also about empowering people and restoring their sense of self-worth," she said.

The idea resonated strongly with Ping. Although Tomato Farm and Maypaperflower work in different fields, both projects show how young people can use creativity, communication and practical action to connect traditional communities with new audiences.

"Young people can be that bridge," Ping said. "We can bring rural communities closer to urban areas, and farms closer to dining tables."