In Master Gardener responsibilities, what are two ethical considerations when working with the public or in a community garden?

• A. Providing accurate information and avoiding misrepresentation; respecting property, privacy, and safety; avoiding conflicts of interest and giving safe, evidence-based guidance.
• B. Following personal beliefs whenever advising; avoiding professional standards.
• C. Consent is not required for sharing information from public sources.
• D. Avoiding any interaction with the public and keeping records private only.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is ethical conduct in public-facing work: you must share information that is accurate and not misrepresented, while treating people and their spaces with respect for property, privacy, and safety. This also means avoiding conflicts of interest and offering guidance that is safe and based on well-supported, evidence-based horticultural knowledge. Together, these elements uphold trust, protect neighbors and their gardens, and ensure that outreach and community efforts are responsible and helpful.

Why this fits best: it covers the essential duties of a Master Gardener when interacting with the public—being truthful and precise, safeguarding people’s privacy and property, and giving recommendations that are safe and backed by credible sources. The other options miss important pieces: personal beliefs shouldn’t override professional standards, sharing information from public sources still requires accuracy and appropriate attribution, and avoiding public interaction contradicts the community-service spirit of the role.