Arapaho Citrus Management, Inc.
Fort Pierce, Florida
Involved in citrus production all of his life, Pete Spyke started Arapaho Citrus Management, Inc., in 1986 specializing in grove management, tree planting and irrigation installation.
Florida’s citrus industry continually faces serious challenges and Spyke has sought solutions on all fronts. After citrus greening was found, Spyke traveled to South Africa to see how producers were combating it and within six months he was using the same principles.
He has long been on the cutting edge of developing methods to conserve resources and protect the environment while increasing fruit yield and quality. He was the first grower in Florida to use the open hydroponic system that causes citrus trees to produce earlier and faster.
Spyke serves on numerous boards and committees where his talents as grower, scientist and land-use planner have offered a unique perspective. He chaired the committee that drafted the Indian River Citrus Best Management Practices manual to improve water quality in the Indian River Lagoon. While on the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, Spyke chaired the Strategic Policy Plan Development Committee that developed an internationally acclaimed plan for sustainable development policies.
He helped develop St. Lucie County’s Towns, Villages and Countryside Plan that integrates agricultural land use and new communities, providing a model for development in Florida.
 Download High-Resolution Image (JPG) Pete Spyke, president of Arapaho Citrus Management Inc., Fort Pierce |
 Download High-Resolution Image (JPG) Pete Spyke, left, and Lee Jones of Gardinier Florida Citrus examine the root structure of a young citrus tree planted in the St. Lucie County grove that utilizes the open hydroponic system. |
 Download High-Resolution Image (JPG) Arapaho installed the open hydroponic system and planted this young citrus grove in St. Lucie County as part of a project for Gardinier Florida Citrus. |
 Download High-Resolution Image (JPG) With the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, Spyke worked diligently to balance urban growth, environmental concerns and property owners' rights in developing the plan that enabled the restoration and renewal of the riverfront in Fort Pierce. |
 Download High-Resolution Image (JPG) Owned by Pete and his wife, Cindy, since 2001, The Orange Shop in Citra has been growing, hand-packing, selling and delivering premium fruit since 1936. |
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Spyke designed and oversaw the installation of the open hydroponic system at the University of Florida's experimental grove, Water Conserv II, near Winter Garden. The project provides a comparative study of drip, microjet and open hydroponic systems. 
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The open hydroponic system delivers precisely the amount of water and nutrients needed for one day. This saves water and prevents fertilizer leaching while promoting rapid growth and early fruit production.
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Meeting with other members of the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, Spyke discusses a new, compact, mixed-use community designed to reduce urban sprawl. |
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Download the 2010 Agricultural Environmental Leadership Awards Booklet (PDF)
