The Florida Citrus Hall of Fame welcomed three industry pioneers to its distinguished 181-member roster Friday, including the late Nicholas “Nick” Faryna, of Umatilla. Born in Warsaw, New York, Faryna moved to Umatilla in the early 1950s. He started in the industry operating a sprayer for Golden Gem Growers during the summer while in high school and eventually opened his own grove care business in 1973, which is still in operation today. Faryna pioneered many new techniques, according to a Citrus Hall statement. His signature achievement was developing the modern practice for freeze protection, which employs micro-sprinkler irrigation nozzles placed under the tree. Running the sprinklers during a freeze creates ice at the bottom of the trunk, which releases enough heat to keep the tree alive.
Millet