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OFBF is traveling to the other side of the world this December to participate in international trade talks.

The organization will be represented as negotiators from 146 nations converge on Hong Kong for the World Trade Organization's 6th Ministerial Conference.

Constance Jackson, OFBF vice president of agricultural ecology, said the meeting is an intense push to try to reach an agreement on major trade issues. Jackson, along with OFBF Vice President Sparky Weilnau and Trustee Brent Porteus, will represent Ohio Farm Bureau in the talks as a nongovernmental organization.

"There's a real opportunity to not only represent U.S. agriculture, but also Ohio and Midwest agriculture," Jackson said.

While not directly involved in the talks, they will be able to provide input by working with negotiators from the U.S. Trade Representative's office.

"Every day the negotiators meet with us and then we give them a reaction (to that day's discussion)," Jackson said. "We're able to give constant feedback."

OFBF participated in the 5th Ministerial Conference in which a framework for agricultural trade was established, although the overall negotiations failed. Jackson said that at this meeting, negotiators will develop that framework, making it even more important for OFBF to be there.

"Everyone says the devil is in the details, and this about the details," she said.