Judy Masi (L) in the courtyard of Blandy's historic Quarters Building, 2023.
As we step into a new year, Blandy Experimental Farm prepares to bid farewell to two extraordinary team members, Judy Masi and Candace Lutzow-Felling, who are retiring after decades of dedicated service. Their combined contributions have left an indelible mark on Blandy and the University of Virginia.
Judy Masi’s journey at Blandy began in 1992, when she was hired as a temporary part-time employee to cover for the Office Manager during a vacation. That temporary position was set to end after three weeks, but Judy never left. Instead, she set off on a remarkable career that has profoundly shaped Blandy’s success and resilience. In 1998, Judy was recognized by the University of Virginia with the Outstanding Contribution Award. Her nominator shared “Here at Blandy, Judy is filling a role that in a typical academic department would be filled by several different support staff members. I think it is fair to say that she is the single-most relied upon person at Blandy… Her coworkers find her indispensable.” These statements ring true today even more strongly.
Since the start of that part-time position in 1992 to today, poised to retire from her current position as Program Finance and Administration Manager, Judy has expertly guided Blandy through major transitions in structure, leadership, technology, and financial systems. Her close colleague shares, “Judy has simply done everything. When anything goes wrong, she is always there, providing solutions, advising on who needs to know, citing policies, researching everything, offering guidance on esthetic decisions, plugging leaks, and offering a shoulder to cry on. If you need to know something, ask Judy. If you need someone to do something, ask Judy. She is as much Blandy’s advice columnist as her main engineer.”
Judy’s favorite memories reflect her deep personal connection to Blandy. She fondly recalls the day she received a heartfelt thank-you note and gift card from Dave, which turned into the first date that started their shared journey. Judy also treasures the relationships she has built with her colleagues, and the moments when she could “save the day” for faculty, staff, and researchers. Her love for Blandy’s landscapes shines through in her favorite outdoor spots: the majestic conifers, including the cedars of Lebanon, and the serene view of the Blue Ridge Mountains from Peetwood Pavilion.
As she steps into retirement, Judy looks forward to embracing a new chapter filled with personal projects, adventures, and, as she puts it, “not packing lunch every day.” While we will deeply miss her presence and expertise, we are grateful for the legacy she leaves behind—a testament to her unwavering commitment to Blandy’s mission and community.
Thank you, Judy, for everything you have done for Blandy. We wish you joy and fulfillment in this well-deserved next chapter of your life.
Candace Lutzow-Felling (2nd from left) with her education team in 2017.
Candace Lutzow-Felling’s journey at Blandy began in 2006, when she joined the team as the Director of Education, School Programs. Over the next 18 years, Candace transformed Blandy’s education programs into a regional and state leader in environmental education. Her efforts reshaped the scope and reach of Blandy’s mission, creating an enduring legacy that will benefit generations of students and educators.
A fellow Blandy leader shares, “Candace was the first person to have a position that focused only on the K-12 programs and she revolutionized that part of Blandy’s educational outreach. She was able to develop programs for high school students and engage them in a meaningful research experiences that made good use of the property. She also developed many new programs that all incorporated inquiry-based learning methods in which students would become highly active learners. Her biggest impact in education is likely through her teacher training workshops in which she led many teachers from around the state into new hands-on approaches to science education. She was awarded many grants to develop and give programs, especially from NOAA, which led to a strong emphasis on understanding watersheds and how they function.”
Candace’s impact at Blandy is vast and deeply felt. She built a robust Education Team, expanding from two part-time staff to a cohesive group of three full-time educators and two part-time seasonal educators. Her leadership forged strategic partnerships with local school districts, including Frederick and Clarke Counties, and secured over $1 million in grant funding to create tailored, impactful education programs. Under her guidance, Blandy’s education programs grew to serve students from preschool through high school, increasing participation from 4,000 to 6,500 annually. Today, Blandy is recognized as a leader in environmental education in the Mid-Atlantic region, a testament to Candace’s vision and dedication.
Candace’s favorite memories reflect her love for both nature and her work. She recalls the excitement of watching school buses arrive, hearing the joyful voices of students stepping into Blandy’s landscape, and receiving heartfelt feedback from educators whose teaching was re-energized by her programs. Her favorite places at Blandy include the bench in the Iris Garden (a favorite lunch spot), her charming office in the Quarters, filled with natural light and the quirks of a historic building, and the view from Peetwood Pavilion, which she describes poetically: “The morning and evening light sweeping over the meadow and distant trees creates a stunning display of the greens and warm hues that highlight the beauty of the landscape. It’s breathtaking in every season, a constant reminder of the natural wonders at Blandy.”
As she approaches retirement, Candace shared that she’ll miss working in such a peaceful and beautiful place among collaborative and dedicated colleagues, but she looks forward to her next chapter coordinating the development of a statewide network for outdoor learning and environmental education. She also plans to combine her love of science, art, and storytelling by honing her writing and botanical illustration skills. Her acceptance into a residential writing program at Oak Spring Botanical Garden is a testament to her continued pursuit of growth and creativity.
While we will miss Candace’s leadership and boundless enthusiasm, we celebrate the incredible impact she leaves behind. Thank you, Candace, for your years of dedication, innovation, and heart. We wish you great joy and inspiration as you embark on this exciting next chapter.
Together, Judy and Candace have not only upheld Blandy’s mission but have elevated it, creating a legacy of innovation, stewardship, and community. Their retirements mark the end of an era, but their contributions will continue to guide and inspire us. Please join us in celebrating Judy and Candace, thanking them for their remarkable service, and wishing them all the best in their well-deserved retirements!