GLADSTONE LAND Corp (LAND) FY 2023 MD&A
This page reproduces the company's own Item 7 MD&A text from the linked SEC filing. It is filer text, not grepcent analysis, scoring, or investment advice.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
OVERVIEW
General
We are an externally-managed, agricultural real estate investment trust (“REIT”) that is engaged in the business of owning and leasing farmland. We are not a grower of crops, nor do we typically farm the properties we own. We currently own 168 farms comprised of 111,836 acres across 15 states in the U.S. We also own several farm-related facilities, such as cooling facilities, packinghouses, processing facilities, and various storage facilities.
We conduct substantially all of our activities through, and all of our properties are held, directly or indirectly, by, Gladstone Land Limited Partnership (the “Operating Partnership”). Gladstone Land Corporation controls the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership and currently owns, directly or indirectly, 100.0% of the units of limited partnership interest in the
35
Table of Content
Operating Partnership (“OP Units”). In addition, we have elected for Gladstone Land Advisers, Inc. (“Land Advisers”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of ours, to be treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”).
Gladstone Management Corporation (our “Adviser”) manages our real estate portfolio pursuant to an advisory agreement, and Gladstone Administration, LLC (our “Administrator”), provides administrative services to us pursuant to an administration agreement. Our Adviser and our Administrator collectively employ all of our personnel and pay directly their salaries, benefits, and general expenses.
As of February 20, 2024:
•we owned 168 farms comprised of 111,836 total acres across 15 states in the U.S.;
•our occupancy rate (based on farmable acreage) was 98.9%, and our farms were leased to 93 different, unrelated third-party tenants growing over 60 different types of crops;
•the weighted-average remaining lease term across our agricultural real estate holdings was 5.9 years; and
•the weighted-average term to maturity of our notes and bonds payable was 8.8 years, and over 99.9% of our notes and bonds payable bore interest at fixed rates; on a weighted-average basis, the remaining fixed-price term of our borrowings was 4.2 years, with an expected weighted-average effective interest rate (after interest patronage, as described below) of 3.34% over that term.
Business Environment
Impact of Inflation and Interest Rates
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the consumer price index (“CPI”) grew at an annual rate of 3.4% through December 31, 2023, as overall inflation continued to ease from the peak levels experienced in the summer of 2022, when it reached the highest rates seen in over 40 years. The increase in food prices has also slowed but has generally kept pace with the rate of inflation until the past couple of months, as the overall food segment increased at an annual rate of 2.7% through December 31, 2023. In addition, according to the NCREIF Farmland Index, which, as of December 31, 2023, consisted of approximately $16.6 billion of farms across the U.S., the total return on U.S. farmland (including appreciation and income) was 5.0% for the 12 months ended December 31, 2023. Despite the slowdown in food prices in recent months, prices remain high, as the overall food segment increased by 25.2% since from December 2019 to December 2023, outpacing overall inflation of 19.4% over the same time period. If the increases in food prices continue to outpace or at least keep pace with inflation, we believe this will help mitigate any increase in input costs experienced by our farm operators.
To combat inflation, the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark funds rate 11 times between March 2022 and July 2023, resulting in the highest target rate seen since January 2011. Since that time, it has held rates flat, and many now expect the Federal Reserve to begin cutting rates later this year. While we do not currently expect additional rate hikes, the timing of rate cuts, if any, remains uncertain. Despite cooling inflation and a strong labor market, the Federal Reserve has indicated its desire to see more evidence of inflation being on a sustainable path to its target rate of 2.0%. As a result of this uncertainty, interest rates remain somewhat volatile. The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury Note has withdrawn from the 16-year high it achieved in October 2023 but still remains above 4.0%. As such, interest rates on long-term financing continue to be high, limiting our ability to finance new acquisitions at favorable terms.
Over 99.9% of our borrowings are currently at fixed rates, and on a weighted-average basis, these rates are fixed at an effective interest rate of 3.34% for another 4.2 years. As such, with respect to our current borrowings, we have experienced minimal impact from the recent increases in interest rates, and we believe we are well-protected against the potential of continued high interest rates or any further interest rate increases.
California Water Outlook
Moving into 2024, we continue to see the impacts of the extremely wet year California experienced starting in early 2023. Due to the extreme rainfall and snowpack over the past year, California has come out of drought conditions, and its reservoir levels remain above historical averages. The 2023 water year carry-over should provide stability in 2024, reducing the dependency on historic rain events to keep the state out of drought conditions. If 2024 proves to be another average or above-average year in terms of precipitation, we expect the continuation of programs developed by certain California water districts for the long-term storage of excess water supplies, which would create opportunities to capture and store more water.
With the continued implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (“SGMA”), farmland operators continue to experience groundwater restrictions across the state. These restrictions have led to the implementation of supplemental water projects that allow farmland owners and operators to capture or import surplus surface water supplies. Significant investments were made in these projects in 2023, led by farmers and water districts to take advantage of the excess water supplies made available by the state. These water supplies are critical to the long-term water strategy for farmers, allowing them to acquire
36
Table of Content
supplemental water in wet years and store that water for use in dry years when supplemental water is in short supply or unavailable.
Factors Impacting Agricultural Land Values in our Regions of Focus
Western U.S.
In the past year, land values in the western U.S. have been heavily impacted by the higher interest rate environment and depressed crop pricing, particularly in almonds, wine grapes, and apples. The almond and wine grape industries have experienced large amounts of acres being removed, and the increased cost of capital is preventing much of that acreage from being replanted at this time. Row crops and pistachios are faring much better and are experiencing stronger profitability, despite an increase in bearing acreage of pistachios. With water being more abundant, row crop acreage has increased, which could put downward pressure on future pricing of these crops. The cost of most crop inputs have leveled off; however, there continue to be shortages of certain equipment and some petroleum-based inputs.
Large amounts of land are becoming available in the Central Valley of California; however, while smaller acreages are transacting rather quickly, larger holdings are sitting on the market longer. Groundwater plans to be in compliance with SGMA are being approved and implemented, which continues to significantly impact land values. Values of land that is short on water are decreasing to levels not seen in decades, while land with sufficient water resources is selling for extremely high prices, a trend that we expect to see continue for the next several years. Coastal California land is still in short supply, and values are either stable or increasing. Land values in the Pacific Northwest have been relatively stable despite troubles in the wine grape and apple industries.
Southeastern U.S.
Values of farmland in the Southeast growing fruits and vegetables continue to increase at a steady pace, driven in part by significant and sustained migration to that region. Our land holdings in Florida, in particular, have benefited greatly from a substantial amount of residential development and state projects taking place in the surrounding areas, all putting upward pressure on the value of our portfolio in the region.
Despite ongoing pressure from production in Mexico, the strawberry industry has continued to thrive, resulting in upward rent pressure on our farms, and vegetable ground has also seen steady demand. Further, after a decade-long decline in citrus due to falling consumer demand and production declines caused by the plant disease known as “citrus greening,” we are seeing the citrus industry start to stabilize, as acreage has right-sized, and new applications to combat citrus greening and other blights have proven very effective.
Portfolio Diversification
Since our initial public offering in January 2013 (the “IPO”), we have expanded our portfolio from 12 farms leased to 7 different, unrelated tenants to a current portfolio of 168 farms leased to 93 different, unrelated third-party tenants who grow over 60 different types of crops on our farms. Our investment focus is in farmland suitable for growing either fresh produce annual row crops (e.g., certain berries and vegetables) or certain permanent crops (e.g., almonds, blueberries, pistachios, and wine grapes), with an ancillary focus on farmland growing certain commodity crops (e.g., beans and corn).
The acquisition of additional farms since our IPO has also allowed us to further diversify our portfolio geographically. The following table summarizes the geographic locations (by state) of our farms owned as of and during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 (dollars in thousands):
37
Table of Content
| As of and For the Year Ended December 31, 2023 | As of and For the Year Ended December 31, 2022 | As of and For the Year Ended December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | No. of Farms | Total Acres | % of Total Acres | Lease Revenue | % of Total Lease Revenue | No. of Farms | Total Acres | % of Total Acres | Lease Revenue | % of Total Lease Revenue | No. of Farms | Total Acres | % of Total Acres | Lease Revenue | % of Total Lease Revenue | |||||||||
| California(1) | 63 | 34,844 | 30.1% | $ | 59,143 | 65.5% | 63 | 34,844 | 30.1% | $ | 61,118 | 68.5% | 62 | 33,027 | 29.3% | $ | 49,644 | 65.9% | ||||||
| Florida(2) | 26 | 22,468 | 19.4% | 15,076 | 16.7% | 26 | 22,606 | 19.5% | 14,537 | 16.3% | 26 | 22,591 | 20.1% | 13,675 | 18.2% | |||||||||
| Washington | 6 | 2,520 | 2.2% | 4,651 | 5.1% | 6 | 2,529 | 2.2% | 3,401 | 3.8% | 3 | 1,384 | 1.2% | 2,384 | 3.2% | |||||||||
| Colorado | 12 | 32,773 | 28.3% | 2,564 | 2.8% | 12 | 32,773 | 28.3% | 2,153 | 2.4% | 12 | 32,773 | 29.1% | 2,675 | 3.6% | |||||||||
| Arizona | 6 | 6,320 | 5.5% | 2,263 | 2.5% | 6 | 6,320 | 5.5% | 2,100 | 2.4% | 6 | 6,280 | 5.6% | 1,951 | 2.6% | |||||||||
| Oregon | 6 | 898 | 0.8% | 2,181 | 2.4% | 6 | 898 | 0.8% | 1,710 | 1.9% | 5 | 726 | 0.6% | 854 | 1.1% | |||||||||
| Nebraska | 9 | 7,782 | 6.7% | 1,778 | 2.0% | 9 | 7,782 | 6.7% | 1,712 | 1.9% | 9 | 7,782 | 6.9% | 1,588 | 2.1% | |||||||||
| Michigan | 23 | 1,892 | 1.6% | 966 | 1.1% | 23 | 1,892 | 1.6% | 786 | 0.9% | 23 | 1,892 | 1.7% | 1,040 | 1.4% | |||||||||
| Maryland | 6 | 987 | 0.9% | 461 | 0.5% | 6 | 987 | 0.8% | 453 | 0.5% | 6 | 987 | 0.9% | 476 | 0.6% | |||||||||
| Texas | 1 | 3,667 | 3.2% | 450 | 0.5% | 1 | 3,667 | 3.2% | 450 | 0.5% | 1 | 3,667 | 3.3% | 450 | 0.6% | |||||||||
| South Carolina | 3 | 597 | 0.5% | 244 | 0.3% | 3 | 597 | 0.5% | 244 | 0.3% | 3 | 597 | 0.5% | 244 | 0.3% | |||||||||
| Georgia | 2 | 230 | 0.2% | 224 | 0.3% | 2 | 230 | 0.2% | 224 | 0.3% | 2 | 230 | 0.2% | 31 | —% | |||||||||
| New Jersey | 3 | 116 | 0.1% | 129 | 0.1% | 3 | 116 | 0.1% | 129 | —% | 3 | 116 | 0.1% | 75 | 0.1% | |||||||||
| North Carolina | 2 | 310 | 0.3% | 114 | 0.1% | 2 | 310 | 0.3% | 145 | 0.2% | 2 | 310 | 0.3% | 150 | 0.2% | |||||||||
| Delaware | 1 | 180 | 0.2% | 75 | 0.1% | 1 | 180 | 0.2% | 74 | 0.1% | 1 | 180 | 0.2% | 81 | 0.1% | |||||||||
| TOTALS | 169 | 115,584 | 100.0% | $ | 90,319 | 100.0% | 169 | 115,731 | 100.0% | $ | 89,236 | 100.0% | 164 | 112,542 | 100.0% | $ | 75,318 | 100.0% |
(1)According to the California Chapter of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, there are eight distinct growing regions within California; our farms are spread across six of these growing regions.
(2)Includes a 3,748-acre farm that was sold on January 11, 2024.
Leases
General
Most of our leases are on a triple-net basis, an arrangement under which, in addition to rent, the tenant is required to directly pay the related taxes, insurance costs, maintenance, and other operating costs. Our leases generally have original terms ranging from 3 to 10 years for farms growing row crops and 7 to 15 years for farms growing permanent crops (in each case, often with options to extend the lease further). Rent is generally payable to us in advance on either an annual or semi-annual basis, with such rent typically subject to periodic escalation clauses provided for within the lease. Currently, 105 of our farms are leased on a pure, triple-net basis, 45 farms are leased on a partial-net basis (with us, as landlord, responsible for all or a portion of the related property taxes), 3 farms are leased on a single-net basis (with us, as landlord, responsible for the related property taxes, as well as certain maintenance, repairs, and insurance costs), and 15 farms are vacant. Additionally, 27 of our farms are leased under agreements that include a variable rent component, called “participation rents,” that are based on the gross revenues earned on the respective farms (though such leases generally include a guarantee of a minimum amount of rental income).
Lease Expirations
Agricultural leases are often shorter term in nature (relative to leases of other types of real estate assets), so in any given year, we may have multiple leases up for extension or renewal. The following table summarizes the lease expirations by year for the farms owned and with leases in place as of December 31, 2023 (dollars in thousands):
| Year | Number ofExpiringLeases(1) | Expiring / Expired Leased Acreage | % of Total Acreage | Lease Revenue for the Year Ended December 31, 2023 | % of Total Lease Revenue | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | 9,171 | 7.9% | $ | 9,361 | 10.4% | ||||||
| 2025 | 11 | 20,729 | 17.9% | 7,899 | 8.7% | |||||||
| 2026 | 11 | 11,706 | 10.1% | 5,851 | 6.5% | |||||||
| 2027 | 6 | 7,123 | 6.2% | 10,304 | 11.4% | |||||||
| 2028 | 13 | 5,198 | 4.5% | 6,422 | 7.1% | |||||||
| Thereafter | 49 | 56,349 | 48.8% | 46,608 | 51.6% | |||||||
| Other(2) | 13 | 37 | —% | 485 | 0.5% | |||||||
| Terminated/expired leases and sold properties(3) | N/A | 5,271 | 4.6% | 3,389 | 3.8% | |||||||
| Totals | 111 | 115,584 | 100.0% | $ | 90,319 | 100.0% |
(1)Certain lease agreements encompass multiple farms.
38
Table of Content
(2)Primarily consists of ancillary leases (e.g., renewable energy leases; oil, gas, and mineral leases; telecommunications leases; etc.) with varying expirations on certain of our farms.
(3)Includes approximately $463,000 of lease revenue recorded from 15 farms on which the respective leases expired during the three months ended December 31, 2023, and remain vacant, and approximately $2.9 million from one farm that was sold subsequent to December 31, 2023, which expired on December 31, 2023.
We currently have one agricultural lease scheduled to expire within the next six months on a farm in California. We are currently in negotiations with the existing tenant on the farm, as well as other potential tenants, and we anticipate being able to renew the lease at its current market rental rate without incurring any downtime on the farm. We may choose to replant a portion of this farm with new plantings, which would likely result in a decrease in cash rent for the first few years while the new plantings are being established. Regarding all vacancies and upcoming lease expirations, there can be no assurance that we will be able to renew the existing leases or execute new leases at rental rates favorable to us, if at all, or be able to find replacement tenants, if necessary.
Recent Developments
Portfolio Activity—Existing Properties
Property Sales
On June 23, 2023, we completed the sale of a 138-acre parcel of unfarmed land in Florida for $9.6 million. Including closing costs, we recognized a net gain on the sale of approximately $6.4 million.
On January 11, 2024, we completed the sale of a 3,748-acre farm in Martin County, Florida, for approximately $65.7 million. Including closing costs, we recognized a net gain on the sale of approximately $10.4 million.
Leasing Activity
The following table summarizes certain leasing activity that has occurred on our existing properties since January 1, 2023, through the date of this filing (dollars in thousands, except for footnotes):
| PRIOR LEASES | NEW LEASES(1) | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farm Locations | Number of Leases | Total Farm Acres | TotalAnnualizedStraight-lineRent(2) | # of Leases with Participation Rents | LeaseStructures(# of NNN/ NN / N)(3) | Total Annualized Straight-line Rent(2) | Wtd. Avg. Term (Years) | # of Leases with Participation Rents | Lease Structures (# of NNN / NN / N)(3) | ||||||
| CA, CO, FL, MI, NC, & NE | 31 | 48,670 | $ | 24,051 | 6 | 18 / 11 / 2 | $ | 23,838 | 6.9 | 4 | 14 / 17 / 0 |
(1)In connection with certain of these leases, we committed to provide capital for certain improvements on these farms. See Note 7, “Commitments and Contingencies—Operating Obligations,” within the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements for additional information on these and other commitments.
(2)Based on the minimum cash rental payments guaranteed under the applicable leases (presented on an annualized basis), as required under GAAP, and generally excludes contingent rental payments, such as participation rents.
(3)“NNN” refers to leases under triple-net lease arrangements, “NN” refers to leases under partial-net lease arrangements, and “N” refers to leases under single-net lease arrangements, in each case, as described above under “Leases—General.”
Vacant, Self-operated, and Non-accrual Properties
During a portion of the year ended December 31, 2023, we had 22 farms (7 in California, 14 in Michigan, and 1 in Washington) that were either vacant, self-operated, or on which lease revenues were recognized on a cash basis (due to credit issues with three tenants causing us to determine that the full collectability of the remaining rental payments under the respective leases were not deemed to be probable).
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recorded lease revenues related to the aforementioned farms of approximately $2.8 million (including approximately $240,000 of participation rents), as compared to approximately $4.0 million (including approximately $829,000 of participation rents) and approximately $4.3 million (including approximately $121,000 of participation rents) during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Currently, 15 farms (14 in Michigan and 1 in Washington) are vacant, and 5 farms in California remain on non-accrual status.
Regarding the vacant farms, we are exploring both leasing and selling options, and we are in discussions with both potential tenants and potential buyers for these farms. We currently expect to come to agreements within the next six months on these farms; however, there can be no guarantee that we will be able to reach lease or sale agreements with tenants or buyers at favorable terms, or at all.
Regarding the properties currently on non-accrual status, the tenants on three of the five farms are current with their rental payments to us. We are continuing to work with the tenant leasing the other two farms and will seek to come to an agreement
39
Table of Content
for the remaining rental payments, if possible. Such agreement, if one can be reached, may include placing the tenant on a payment plan, deferring a portion of the rent owed to us, or agreeing to terminate the lease. In the event of a termination, we estimate that we would be able to find new tenants to lease each of these properties to at market rental rates within 1 to 12 months.
Water Asset Acquisitions
During the three months ended December 31, 2023, we obtained a contract to purchase 1,003 acre-feet of banked water held by Semitropic Water Storage District (“SWSD”), a water storage district located in Kern County, California, which was received from one of our tenants as partial consideration for a rent payment owed. We subsequently executed the contract to purchase all 1,003 acre-feet of banked water for an aggregate cost of approximately $61,000. We currently have a total of 46,003 acre-feet of banked water held by SWSD at a total carrying value of approximately $34.5 million.
In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2023, we elected to participate in a groundwater recharge program established by Westlands Water District (“WWD”), a water district located in Fresno County, California. Under the program, WWD will pay for surplus surface water to be delivered to individual landowners’ properties with district-approved groundwater recharge facilities, also known as “water banks.” The landowner would be allowed to keep 50% of the net amount of groundwater credits generated under the program (after allowing for certain leave-behind and evaporative losses), and the remaining 50% would be used to recharge the aquifer and retained by WWD. Delivery of water under this program is subject to surplus water availability at WWD’s discretion, and WWD has not yet announced a termination date for this program. To date, we have obtained 397 water credits, which represents 50% of the total net water credits generated and confirmed by WWD under the program thus far, at a total carrying value of approximately $111,000.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we also entered into various other agreements with certain third parties (including local water districts and private individuals) to either buy water directly, buy a portion of other water districts’ surface water allocations in future years in which allocations are granted, or to store surface water on others’ behalf in one of our groundwater recharge facilities in exchange for a portion of the net groundwater credits produced and recognized by the respective water district.
We currently own a total of 46,400 acre-feet of long-term water assets, and our investments in these long-term water assets have an aggregate carrying value of approximately $34.6 million.
To date, we have invested approximately $1.8 million to construct groundwater recharge facilities on two of our farms, and we have invested an additional $1.8 million in the aggregate in connection with these agreements that are expected to result in additional groundwater credits in the future; however, the amount and timing of these credits, if any, is currently unknown and is dependent upon and subject to the recognition of such credits by the respective water districts, in their sole discretion.
California Floods
In January 2023, periods of heavy rainfall in California resulted in floods that impacted several areas of the state, including regions where certain of our farms are located. As a result of the flooding, one of our farms in the Central Valley suffered damage to certain structures located on the farm, and we estimated the carrying value of the structures on this property damaged by the floods to be approximately $855,000. As such, during the year ended December 31, 2023, we wrote down the carrying value of these structures and also recorded a corresponding property and casualty loss. Certain of our other farms in California suffered minor damage as a result of the floods, but no other farms were materially impacted.
In addition, in February 2024, certain parts of California, particularly the southern part of the state, experienced a “one-in-one-thousand year” rainfall event, as atmospheric river storms caused widespread flooding and mudslides in multiple areas. Certain of our farms in the state suffered minor damage as a result of the storms, but no farms were materially impacted.
Financing Activity
Debt Activity
Loan Repayments
From January 1, 2023, through the date of this filing, we repaid approximately $52.2 million of notes and bonds that were either maturing or scheduled for a price reset. On a weighted-average basis, these borrowings bore interest at a stated rate of 3.55% and an effective interest rate (after interest patronage, where applicable) of 3.43%.
MetLife Facility
On December 14, 2023, we amended our facility with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“MetLife”), which currently consists of a $75.0 million long-term note payable (the “2020 MetLife Term Note”), $75.0 million of revolving equity lines of credit (the “MetLife Lines of Credit”), and a $100.0 million long-term note payable (the “2022 MetLife Term Note,” and
40
Table of Content
together with the 2020 MetLife Term Note and the MetLife Lines of Credit, the “Current MetLife Facility”). Pursuant to the amendment, the maturity dates of the MetLife Lines of Credit were extended to December 15, 2033. As part of this amendment, we paid aggregate fees of approximately $188,000 to MetLife.
Farmer Mac Facility
On June 2, 2023, we amended our agreement with Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (“Farmer Mac”), which provides for bond issuances up to an aggregate amount of $225.0 million (the “Farmer Mac Facility”). Pursuant to the amendment, the date through which we may issue new bonds under the Farmer Mac Facility was extended to December 31, 2026, and the final maturity date for new bonds issued under the facility will be the date that is ten years from the applicable issuance date.
Farm Credit Notes Payable—Interest Patronage
From time to time since September 2014, we, through certain subsidiaries of our Operating Partnership, have entered into various loan agreements (collectively, the “Farm Credit Notes Payable”) with 13 different Farm Credit associations (collectively, “Farm Credit”). During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we recorded interest patronage of approximately $2.3 million related to interest accrued on the Farm Credit Notes Payable during the year ended December 31, 2022. During the three months ended September 30, 2022, we received approximately $113,000 of interest patronage, as certain Farm Credit associations paid a portion of the 2022 interest patronage (which relates to interest accrued during 2022 but is typically paid during the first half of 2023) early. In total, 2022 interest patronage resulted in a 24.1% reduction (approximately 109 basis points) to the interest rates on such borrowings. In addition, during the three months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded approximately $111,000 of interest patronage, as certain Farm Credit associations paid a portion of the 2023 interest patronage early. For further discussion on interest patronage, refer to Note 4, “Borrowings—Farm Credit Notes Payable—Interest Patronage,” in the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements.
Equity Activity
Series C Preferred Stock
On April 3, 2020, we filed a prospectus supplement with the SEC for a continuous public offering (the “Series C Offering”) of our 6.00% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series C Preferred Stock”). Under the Series C Offering, as amended, we were permitted to sell up to 10,200,000 shares of our Series C Preferred Stock on a “reasonable best efforts” basis through Gladstone Securities at an offering price of $25.00 per share (the “Primary Series C Offering”) and up to 200,000 additional shares of our Series C Preferred Stock pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan (the “DRIP”) at a price of $22.75 per share. The Primary Series C Offering terminated on December 31, 2022, and the DRIP was terminated effective March 22, 2023.
During the three months ended June 30, 2023, we listed the Series C Preferred Stock on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “LANDP.” Trading of the Series C Preferred Stock on Nasdaq commenced on June 8, 2023.
From January 1, 2023, through the date we listed the Series C Preferred Stock on Nasdaq, we issued approximately 14,069 shares of the Series C Preferred Stock pursuant to the DRIP and redeemed 48,913 shares that were tendered for optional redemption, which we satisfied with an aggregate cash payment of approximately $1.2 million.
Series E Preferred Stock
On November 9, 2022, we filed a prospectus supplement with the SEC for a continuous public offering (the “Series E Offering”) of up to 8,000,000 shares of our newly-designated 5.00% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Series E Preferred Stock”), on a “reasonable best efforts” basis through Gladstone Securities at an offering price of $25.00 per share. See Note 6, “Related-Party Transactions—Gladstone Securities—Dealer-Manager Agreements,” for a discussion of the commissions and fees to be paid to Gladstone Securities in connection with the Series E Offering.
The following table summarizes the sales of our Series E Preferred Stock that occurred from January 1, 2023, through the date of this filing (dollars in thousands):
| Number of Shares Sold | Weighted-average Offering Price Per Share | Gross Proceeds | Net Proceeds(1) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 247,781 | $ | 24.96 | $ | 6,184 | $ | 5,575 |
(1)Net of underwriting discounts and selling commissions and dealer-manager fees borne by us. Aggregate selling commissions and dealer-manager fees paid to Gladstone Securities as a result of these sales was approximately $609,000.
41
Table of Content
The Series E Offering will terminate on the date (the “Series E Termination Date”) that is the earlier of (i) December 31, 2025 (unless terminated or extended by our Board of Directors) and (ii) the date on which all 8,000,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock offering in the Series E Offering are sold. There is currently no public market for shares of Series E Preferred Stock. We intend to apply to list the Series E Preferred Stock on Nasdaq or another national securities exchange within one calendar year after the Series E Termination Date; however, there can be no assurance that a listing will be achieved in such timeframe, or at all.
Common Stock—At-the-Market Program
On May 12, 2020, we entered into equity distribution agreements with Virtu Americas, LLC, and Ladenburg Thalmann & Co., Inc. (each a “Sales Agent”), that, as subsequently amended, permitted us to issue and sell, from time to time and through the Sales Agents, shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $260.0 million (the “ATM Program”). On April 13, 2023, we entered into separate amended and restated equity distribution agreements with the Sales Agents to allow us to sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $500.0 million.
The following table summarizes the activity under the ATM Program from January 1, 2023, through the date of this filing (dollars in thousands):
| Number of Shares Sold | Weighted-average Offering Price Per Share | Gross Proceeds | Net Proceeds(1) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 788,045 | $ | 19.34 | $ | 15,240 | $ | 15,087 |
(1)Net of underwriter commissions.
LIBOR Transition
The majority of our debt is at fixed rates, and we currently have very limited exposure to variable-rate debt. Previously, our variable-rate debt was based upon the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), which was phased out in June 2023. LIBOR has since transitioned to a new standard rate, the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), which was formally adopted by the Alternative Reference Rates Committee in July 2021 as a benchmark interest rate that incorporates certain overnight repo market data collected from multiple data sets. The intent was to adjust the SOFR to minimize the differences between the interest that a borrower was paying using LIBOR versus what it will be paying SOFR. Our lines of credit with MetLife and four term loans with Rabo AgriFinance LLC (which are effectively fixed through our entry into interest swap agreements) were previously indexed based on LIBOR, and all have since transitioned to SOFR, resulting in a minimal impact to our overall operations.
Our Adviser and Administrator
We are externally managed pursuant to contractual arrangements with our Adviser and our Administrator (both affiliates of ours), which collectively employ all of our personnel and pay their salaries, benefits, and general expenses directly. The investment advisory agreement with our Adviser that was in effect from January 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021 (the “Prior Advisory Agreement”), was amended and restated effective July 1, 2021 (as amended, the “Current Advisory Agreement,” and together with the Prior Advisory Agreement, the “Advisory Agreements”). The Current Advisory Agreement revised the calculation of the base management fee beginning with the three months ended September 30, 2021, while all other terms of the Prior Advisory Agreement remained the same. Each of the Advisory Agreements and the current administration agreement with our Administrator (the “Administration Agreement”) were approved unanimously by our Board of Directors, including, specifically, our independent directors.
A summary of certain compensation terms within the Advisory Agreements and a summary of the Administration Agreement is below.
Advisory Agreements
Pursuant to each of the Advisory Agreements, our Adviser is compensated in the form of a base management fee, an incentive fee, a capital gains fee, and a termination fee. Our Adviser does not charge acquisition or disposition fees when we acquire or dispose of properties, as is common in other externally-managed REITs. The base management and incentive fees are described below. For information on the capital gains and termination fees, refer to Note 6, “Related-Party Transactions—Our Adviser and Administrator—Advisory Agreements,” within the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements.
Base Management Fee
Pursuant to the Prior Advisory Agreement, through June 30, 2021, a base management fee was paid quarterly and was calculated at an annual rate of 0.50% (0.125% per quarter), of the prior calendar quarter’s “Gross Tangible Real Estate,”
42
Table of Content
defined as the gross cost of tangible real estate owned by us (including land and land improvements, permanent plantings, irrigation and drainage systems, farm-related facilities, and other tangible site improvements), prior to any accumulated depreciation, and as shown on our balance sheet or the notes thereto for the applicable quarter.
Pursuant to the Current Advisory Agreement, beginning with the three months ended September 30, 2021, a base management fee is paid quarterly and is calculated at an annual rate of 0.60% (0.15% per quarter) of the prior calendar quarter’s Gross Tangible Real Estate.
Incentive Fee
Pursuant to each of the Advisory Agreements, an incentive fee is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears if the Pre-Incentive Fee FFO for a particular quarter exceeds a hurdle rate of 1.75% (7.0% annualized) of the prior calendar quarter’s Total Adjusted Common Equity.
For purposes of this calculation, Pre-Incentive Fee FFO is defined in each of the Advisory Agreements as FFO (also as defined in each of the Advisory Agreements) accrued by the Company during the current calendar quarter (prior to any incentive fee calculation for the current calendar quarter), less any dividends paid on preferred stock securities that are not treated as a liability for GAAP purposes. In addition, Total Adjusted Common Equity is defined as common stockholders’ equity plus non-controlling common interests in our Operating Partnership, if any (each as reported on our balance sheet), adjusted to exclude unrealized gains and losses and certain other one-time events and non-cash items.
We pay our Adviser an incentive fee with respect to our Pre-Incentive Fee FFO quarterly, as follows:
•no Incentive Fee in any calendar quarter in which our Pre-Incentive Fee FFO does not exceed the hurdle rate of 1.75% (7.0% annualized);
•100% of the amount of our Pre-Incentive Fee FFO with respect to that portion of such Pre-Incentive Fee FFO, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than 2.1875% in any calendar quarter (8.75% annualized); and
•20% of the amount of our Pre-Incentive fee FFO, if any, that exceeds 2.1875% in any calendar quarter (8.75% annualized).
Quarterly Incentive Fee Based on Pre-Incentive Fee FFO
Pre-Incentive Fee FFO
(expressed as a percentage of Total Adjusted Common Equity)
Percentage of Pre-Incentive Fee FFO allocated to Incentive Fee
Administration Agreement
Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, we pay for our allocable portion of the Administrator’s expenses incurred while performing its obligations to us, including, but not limited to, rent and the salaries and benefits expenses of our Administrator’s employees, including our chief financial officer, treasurer, chief compliance officer, general counsel and secretary (who also serves as our Administrator’s president, general counsel, and secretary), and their respective staffs. Our allocable portion of the Administrator’s expenses is generally derived by multiplying our Administrator’s total expenses by the approximate percentage of time the Administrator’s employees perform services for us in relation to their time spent performing services for all companies serviced by our Administrator under similar contractual agreements.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of our financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make judgments that are subjective in nature to make certain estimates and assumptions. Application of these accounting policies involves the exercise of judgment regarding the use of assumptions as to future uncertainties, and, as a result, actual results could materially differ from these estimates. A summary of all of our significant accounting policies are provided in Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” in the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements, located elsewhere in this Form 10-K, and a summary of our critical accounting policies is below. We consider these policies to be critical because they involve estimates and assumptions that require complex, subjective or significant judgments in their application and that materially affect our results of operations. There were no material changes in our critical accounting policies during the year ended December 31, 2023.
43
Table of Content
Purchase Price Allocation
When we acquire real estate, we allocate the purchase price to: (i) the tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, consisting primarily of land, improvements (including irrigation and drainage systems), permanent plantings, and farm-related facilities and, if applicable, (ii) any identifiable intangible assets and liabilities, which primarily consist of the values of above- and below-market leases, in-place lease values, lease origination costs, and tenant relationships, based in each case on their fair values.
Certain of our acquisitions involve sale-leaseback transactions with newly-originated leases, and other of our acquisitions involve the acquisition of farmland that is already being operated as rental property, in which case we will typically assume the lease in place at the time of acquisition. We generally consider both types of acquisitions to be asset acquisitions under ASC 360, “Property Plant and Equipment,” which requires us to capitalize the transaction costs incurred in connection with the acquisition. ASC 360 further requires that the purchase price of real estate be allocated to (i) the tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, and, if applicable, (ii) any identifiable intangible assets and liabilities, by valuing the property as if it was vacant, based on management’s determination of the relative fair values of such assets and liabilities as of the date of acquisition.
For a more detailed discussion on this accounting policy, see Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Real Estate and Lease Intangibles,” in the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements.
Real Estate Impairment Evaluation
We account for the impairment of our real estate assets in accordance with ASC 360, which requires us to periodically review the carrying value of each property to determine whether indicators of impairment exist or if depreciation periods should be modified. If circumstances support the possibility of impairment, we prepare a projection of the total undiscounted future cash flows of the specific property and compare them to the net book value of the property to determine whether the carrying value of the property is recoverable. If impairment is indicated, the carrying value of the property is written down to its estimated fair value based on our best estimate of the property’s discounted future cash flows using certain market-derived terms. Any material changes to the estimates and assumptions used in this analysis could have a significant impact on our results of operations, as the changes would impact our determination of whether impairment is deemed to have occurred and the amount of impairment loss that we would recognize.
For a more detailed discussion on this accounting policy, see Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Real Estate Impairment Evaluation,” in the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements.
Recently-Issued Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Recently-Issued Accounting Pronouncements,” in the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements for a description of recently-issued accounting pronouncements.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
For the purposes of the following discussions on certain operating revenues and expenses:
▪With regard to the comparison between the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
▪Same-property basis represents farms owned as of December 31, 2021, which were not vacant at any point during either period presented and full collectability of future rental payments under the respective leases was deemed probable during the entirety of both periods;
▪Properties acquired or disposed of are farms that were either acquired or disposed of at any point subsequent to December 31, 2021. From January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2023, we acquired five new farms and had one partial farm disposition; and
▪Vacant, self-operated, or non-accrual properties are:
▪Farms that were vacant (either wholly or partially) at any point during either period presented. Five of our farms were vacant during a portion of either of the years ended December 31, 2023 or 2022;
▪Farms that were self-operated at any point during either period presented. 11 of our farms were self-operated (on a temporary basis via management agreements with unrelated third-parties) during a portion of the year ended December 31, 2023; and
▪Farms with leases where revenue was recognized on a cash basis during either period presented (rather than a straight-line basis) due to full collectability of future rental payments under the respective leases deemed not to be probable as a result of tenant credit issues. During a portion of the year ended
44
Table of Content
December 31, 2023, we recognized revenue from four different leases with three separate tenants (encompassing six different farms) on a cash basis.
A comparison of results of components comprising our operating income for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 is below (dollars in thousands):
| For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | $ Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Operating revenues: | |||||||||||||
| Lease revenue: | |||||||||||||
| Fixed lease payments | $ | 83,695 | $ | 81,423 | $ | 2,272 | 2.8% | ||||||
| Variable lease payments – participation rents | 5,890 | 7,703 | (1,813) | (23.5)% | |||||||||
| Variable lease payments – tenant reimbursements | 734 | 110 | 624 | 567.3% | |||||||||
| Total lease revenue | 90,319 | 89,236 | 1,083 | 1.2% | |||||||||
| Other operating revenue | 79 | — | 79 | NM | |||||||||
| Total operating revenues | 90,398 | 89,236 | 1,162 | 1.3% | |||||||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 37,161 | 35,366 | 1,795 | 5.1% | |||||||||
| Property operating expenses | 4,201 | 2,819 | 1,382 | 49.0% | |||||||||
| Base management and incentive fees | 10,374 | 11,532 | (1,158) | (10.0)% | |||||||||
| Administration fee | 2,255 | 2,005 | 250 | 12.5% | |||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | 2,924 | 2,740 | 184 | 6.7% | |||||||||
| Write-off of costs associated with offering of Series C cumulative redeemable preferred stock | — | 853 | (853) | NM | |||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 56,915 | 55,315 | 1,600 | 2.9% | |||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 33,483 | $ | 33,921 | $ | (438) | (1.3)% |
NM = Not Meaningful
Operating Revenues
Lease Revenue
The following table provides a summary of our lease revenue during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (dollars in thousands):
| For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | $ Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Same-property basis: | |||||||||||||
| Fixed lease payments | $ | 76,866 | $ | 76,182 | $ | 684 | 0.9% | ||||||
| Participation rents | 5,650 | 6,874 | (1,224) | (17.8)% | |||||||||
| Total – Same-property basis | 82,516 | 83,056 | (540) | (0.7)% | |||||||||
| Properties acquired or disposed of: | |||||||||||||
| Fixed lease payments | 4,357 | 2,067 | 2,290 | 110.8% | |||||||||
| Total – Properties acquired or disposed of | 4,357 | 2,067 | 2,290 | 110.8% | |||||||||
| Vacant, self-operated, or non-accrual properties: | |||||||||||||
| Fixed lease payments | 2,472 | 3,174 | (702) | (22.1)% | |||||||||
| Participation rents | 240 | 829 | (589) | (71.0)% | |||||||||
| Total – Vacant, self-operated, or non-accrual properties | 2,712 | 4,003 | (1,291) | (32.3)% | |||||||||
| Tenant reimbursements(1) | 734 | 110 | 624 | 567.3% | |||||||||
| Total Lease revenues | $ | 90,319 | $ | 89,236 | $ | 1,083 | 1.2% |
(1)Tenant reimbursements generally represent tenant-reimbursed property operating expenses on certain of our farms, including property taxes, insurance premiums, and other property-related expenses. Similar amounts were also recorded as property operating expenses during the respective periods.
Same-property Basis – 2023 compared to 2022
45
Table of Content
Lease revenues from fixed lease payments increased primarily due to additional rents earned on capital improvements completed on certain of our farms, partially offset by the execution of one lease agreement in the fourth quarter of 2022, pursuant to which we agreed to reduce the fixed base rent amount in exchange for increasing the participation rent component in the lease, the majority of which was realized in the fourth quarter of 2023.
The decrease in participation rents was primarily driven by lower production (i.e., pounds per acre) on certain almond and pistachio farms (partly due to the alternate-bearing nature of such tree crops but also due to the harvest of such crops coming at the end of a multi-year drought), coupled with weaker crop prices, particularly in the almond market, which continued to be hampered with oversupply exacerbated by supply chain disruptions that occurred during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other – 2023 compared to 2022
Lease revenue from properties acquired or disposed of increased primarily due to additional revenues earned on new farms acquired subsequent to December 31, 2021.
Fixed lease payments from vacant, self-operated, or non-accrual properties decreased primarily due to revenue from certain of our leases being recognized on a cash basis during a portion of the year ended December 31, 2023 (rather than a straight-line basis), due to full collectability of future rental payments under the respective leases deemed not to be probable as a result of tenant credit issues. In addition, 11 of our farms were self-operated (on a temporary basis via management agreements with unrelated third-parties) and 5 of our farms were vacant during portions of the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in lease revenue from vacant, self-operated, or non-accrual properties was partially offset by cash collections (in part or in whole) from tenants occupying certain of these properties during the year ended December 31, 2023. No revenue has been recognized as a result of operations at farms that were self-operated during any period presented.
The fluctuations in tenant reimbursement revenue are primarily driven by payments made by certain tenants on our behalf (pursuant to the lease agreements) to unconsolidated entities of ours that convey water to the respective properties. As such, the timing of tenant reimbursement revenue fluctuates as payments are made by our tenants. Amounts recorded during the current year include increased reimbursements from certain tenants for costs to delivery water to their farms via a pipeline owned by an unconsolidated entity of ours, as well as late fees received from certain tenants.
Other Operating Revenue
Other operating revenue consists of non-lease revenue generated as a result of activities performed on certain of our properties. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recognized approximately $79,000 of non-cash revenue associated with the transfer and storing of surplus water on behalf of a government municipality using a groundwater recharge facility constructed on one of our farms. See Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Other Operating Revenue,” and Note 3, “Real Estate and Intangible Assets—Investments in Water Assets,” within the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion.
Operating Expenses
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense increased primarily due to additional depreciation and amortization expense incurred on new farms acquired subsequent to December 31, 2021, as well as additional depreciation expense associated with new capital improvements made on certain of our existing farms. The increase was partially offset by a decrease attributable to certain assets reaching the end of their useful lives.
Property Operating Expenses
Property operating expenses consist primarily of real estate taxes, repair and maintenance expense, insurance premiums, and other miscellaneous operating expenses paid for certain of our properties. The following table provides a summary of the property operating expenses recorded during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (dollars in thousands):
| For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | $ Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Same-property basis | $ | 2,785 | $ | 2,407 | $ | 378 | 15.7% | ||||||
| Properties acquired or disposed of | 6 | 29 | (23) | (79.3)% | |||||||||
| Vacant, self-operated properties, or non-accrual, properties | 723 | 273 | 450 | 164.8% | |||||||||
| Tenant-reimbursed property operating expenses(1) | 687 | 110 | 577 | 524.5% | |||||||||
| Total Property operating expenses | $ | 4,201 | $ | 2,819 | $ | 1,382 | 49.0% |
(1)Represents certain operating expenses (property taxes, insurance premiums, and other property-related expenses) paid by us that, per the respective leases, are required to be reimbursed to us by the tenant. Similar amounts are also recorded as lease revenue when earned in accordance with the lease.
46
Table of Content
Same-property Basis – 2023 compared to 2022
Property operating expenses increased primarily due to additional property management and consulting fees incurred across our portfolio, as well as higher legal fees related to drafting new lease agreements. We also recorded additional repairs and maintenance expense as a result of minor damage caused by natural disasters at certain of our farms. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in real estate tax expense.
Other – 2023 compared to 2022
Property operating expenses on properties acquired or disposed of decreased, primarily due to additional legal fees incurred in the prior year periods on certain farms acquired subsequent to December 31, 2021.
Property operating expenses attributable to vacant, self-operated, or non-accrual properties increased primarily due to additional legal fees incurred in connection with rent collection, lease termination, or re-leasing efforts on such farms, as well as an increase in real estate tax expense that the prior tenants were previously responsible for.
The fluctuations in tenant-reimbursed property operating expenses are primarily driven by miscellaneous property operating costs incurred by us in connection with our ownership interests in certain unconsolidated entities, for which our tenants are contractually obligated to reimburse us under the terms of the respective leases. Such expenses will fluctuate commensurate with the timing and amount of miscellaneous operating costs incurred by the underlying entities. Amounts recorded during the current year include additional costs to deliver water to certain of our farms via a pipeline owned by an unconsolidated entity of ours, which costs were reimbursed to us by our tenants.
Related-Party Fees
The following table provides the calculations of the base management and incentive fees due to our Advisor pursuant to the Current Advisory Agreement for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (dollars in thousands; for further discussion on certain defined terms used below, refer to Note 6, “Related-Party Transactions,” within the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements):
47
Table of Content
| Quarters Ended | Year to Date | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 31 | June 30 | September 30 | December 31 | |||||||||||||||
| FY 2023 Fee Calculations: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Base Management Fee: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Gross Tangible Real Estate(1)(2) | $ | 1,432,394 | $ | 1,431,761 | $ | 1,433,713 | $1,437,268 | |||||||||||
| Quarterly rate | 0.150 | % | 0.150 | % | 0.150 | % | 0.150 | % | ||||||||||
| Base management fee(3) | $ | 2,149 | $ | 2,148 | $ | 2,150 | $ | 2,156 | $ | 8,603 | ||||||||
| Incentive Fee: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total Adjusted Common Equity(1)(2) | $ | 358,689 | $ | 362,411 | $ | 360,339 | $ | 353,412 | ||||||||||
| First hurdle quarterly rate | 1.750 | % | 1.750 | % | 1.750 | % | 1.750 | % | ||||||||||
| First hurdle threshold | $ | 6,277 | $ | 6,342 | $ | 6,306 | $ | 6,185 | ||||||||||
| Second hurdle quarterly rate | 2.1875 | % | 2.1875 | % | 2.1875 | % | 2.1875 | % | ||||||||||
| Second hurdle threshold | $ | 7,846 | $ | 7,928 | $ | 7,882 | $ | 7,731 | ||||||||||
| Pre-Incentive Fee FFO(1) | $ | 5,303 | $ | 4,400 | $ | 7,095 | $ | 7,167 | ||||||||||
| 100% of Pre-Incentive Fee FFO in excess of first hurdle threshold, up to second hurdle threshold | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 789 | $ | 982 | ||||||||||
| 20% of Pre-Incentive Fee FFO in excess of second hurdle threshold | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total Incentive fee(3) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 789 | $ | 982 | $ | 1,771 | ||||||||
| Total fees due to Adviser, net | $ | 2,149 | $ | 2,148 | $ | 2,939 | $ | 3,138 | $ | 10,374 | ||||||||
| FY 2022 Fee Calculations: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Base Management Fee: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Gross Tangible Real Estate(1)(2) | $ | 1,357,800 | $ | 1,361,757 | $ | 1,390,646 | $ | 1,427,482 | ||||||||||
| Quarterly rate | 0.150 | % | 0.150 | % | 0.150 | % | 0.150 | % | ||||||||||
| Base management fee(3) | $ | 2,037 | $ | 2,043 | $ | 2,086 | $ | 2,141 | $ | 8,307 | ||||||||
| Incentive Fee: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total Adjusted Common Equity(1)(2) | $ | 378,299 | $ | 381,201 | $ | 364,955 | $ | 361,186 | ||||||||||
| First hurdle quarterly rate | 1.750 | % | 1.750 | % | 1.750 | % | 1.750 | % | ||||||||||
| First hurdle threshold | $ | 6,620 | $ | 6,671 | $ | 6,387 | $ | 6,321 | ||||||||||
| Second hurdle quarterly rate | 2.1875 | % | 2.1875 | % | 2.1875 | % | 2.1875 | % | ||||||||||
| Second hurdle threshold | $ | 8,275 | $ | 8,339 | $ | 7,983 | $ | 7,901 | ||||||||||
| Pre-Incentive Fee FFO(1) | $ | 7,751 | $ | 4,819 | $ | 6,892 | $ | 7,944 | ||||||||||
| 100% of Pre-Incentive Fee FFO in excess of first hurdle threshold, up to second hurdle threshold | $ | 1,131 | $ | — | $ | 505 | $ | 1,580 | ||||||||||
| 20% of Pre-Incentive Fee FFO in excess of second hurdle threshold | — | — | — | 9 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Incentive fee(3) | $ | 1,131 | $ | — | $ | 505 | $ | 1,589 | $ | 3,225 | ||||||||
| Total fees due to Adviser, net | $ | 3,168 | $ | 2,043 | $ | 2,591 | $ | 3,730 | $ | 11,532 |
(1)As defined in the Current Advisory Agreement.
(2)As of the end of the respective prior quarters.
(3)Reflected as a line item on our accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
48
Table of Content
The base management fee increased primarily due to additional assets acquired and improvements made on certain of our farms since December 31, 2021.
Our Adviser earned incentive fees during each of the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 due to our Pre-Incentive Fee FFO (as defined in the Advisory Agreements) exceeding the required hurdle rate of the applicable equity base during the third and fourth quarters of 2023 and during the first, third, and fourth quarters of 2022.
The administration fee paid to our Administrator increased primarily due to hiring additional personnel and us using a higher overall share of our Administrator’s resources in relation to those used by other funds and affiliated companies serviced by our Administrator.
Other Operating Expenses
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of professional fees, director fees, stockholder-related expenses, overhead insurance, acquisition-related costs for investments no longer being pursued, and other miscellaneous expenses. General and administrative expenses increased during the current year, primarily due to an increase in professional fees (driven by higher legal and accounting fees), additional costs expensed related to amending our Current MetLife Facility, and an increase in stockholder-related expenses related to the listing of the Series C Preferred Stock on Nasdaq. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in acquisition-related costs for investments no longer being pursued.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, we wrote off approximately $853,000 of costs (including approximately $798,000 of unamortized deferred offering costs) related to the Series C Offering due to an amendment that reduced the number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock to be offered.
A comparison of results of other components contributing to net loss attributable to common stockholders for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 is below (dollars in thousands):
| For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | $ Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Operating income | $33,483 | $33,921 | $ | (438.00) | (1.3)% | ||||||||
| Other income (expense) | |||||||||||||
| Other income | 3,633 | 3,441 | 192 | 5.6% | |||||||||
| Interest expense | (23,665) | (25,738) | 2,073 | (8.1)% | |||||||||
| Dividends declared on cumulative term preferred stock | (3,019) | (3,019) | — | —% | |||||||||
| Gain (loss) on dispositions of real estate assets, net | 5,208 | (3,760) | 8,968 | (238.5)% | |||||||||
| Property and casualty loss, net | (1,016) | (56) | (960) | 1,714.3% | |||||||||
| Loss from investments in unconsolidated entities | (59) | (73) | 14 | (19.2)% | |||||||||
| Total other expense, net | (18,918) | (29,205) | 10,287 | (35.2)% | |||||||||
| Net income | 14,565 | 4,716 | 9,849 | 208.8% | |||||||||
| Net income attributable to non-controlling interests | — | (8) | 8 | (100.0)% | |||||||||
| Net income attributable to the Company | 14,565 | 4,708 | 9,857 | 209.4% | |||||||||
| Aggregate dividends declared on and charges related to extinguishment of cumulative redeemable preferred stock | (24,417) | (19,718) | (4,699) | 23.8% | |||||||||
| Net loss attributable to common stockholders | $ | (9,852) | $ | (15,010) | $ | 5,158 | (34.4)% |
Other Income (Expense)
Other income, which generally consists of interest patronage received from Farm Credit (as defined in Note 4, “Borrowings,” in the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements) and interest earned on short-term investments, increased primarily due to additional income earned on short-term investments due to higher interest rates, partially offset by less interest patronage received from Farm Credit (primarily due to decreased borrowings from Farm Credit).
During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we recorded approximately $2.3 million of interest patronage from Farm Credit related to interest accrued during 2022, as compared to approximately $2.8 million of interest patronage recorded during the prior-year period that related to interest accrued during 2021. In addition, during the three months ended September 30, 2022, we received approximately $113,000 of interest patronage related to interest accrued during 2022, as certain Farm Credit associations paid a portion of 2022 interest patronage (which is typically paid during the first half of 2023) early. In total, 2022 interest patronage resulted in a 24.1% reduction (approximately 109 basis points) to the interest rate of such borrowings. In
49
Table of Content
addition, during the three months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded approximately $111,000 of interest patronage, as certain Farm Credit associations paid a portion of the 2023 interest patronage early.
Interest expense decreased, primarily due to a decrease in overall borrowings. The weighted-average principal balance of our aggregate borrowings (excluding our cumulative term preferred stock) outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2023, was approximately $595.8 million, as compared to approximately $654.7 million for the prior-year period. Excluding interest patronage received on certain of our Farm Credit borrowings and the impact of debt issuance costs, the weighted average interest rate charged on our aggregate borrowings was 3.79% and 3.77% for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recorded a net capital gain, driven by the sale of a 138-acre parcel of unfarmed land in Florida for $9.6 million, which, after accounting for closing costs, resulted in a net gain of approximately $6.4 million. The net losses recorded during the year ended December 31, 2022, related to the disposals of certain irrigation and other improvements on certain of our farms.
The net property and casualty loss related to net expenses incurred and insurance recoveries received for certain improvements that were damaged due to natural disasters. The property and casualty loss recorded during the year ended December 31, 2023, was the result of the heavy rainfall that occurred in California in early 2023 and the resulting flooding, which damaged certain structures located on one of our farms in the Central Valley.
The aggregate dividends paid on our cumulative redeemable preferred stock increased due to additional shares of the Series C Preferred Stock and Series E Preferred Stock issued and outstanding during the current year.
Comparison of Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021
A comparison of our operating results for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 was included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, beginning on page 45 under Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Position and Results of Operations,” which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on February 21, 2023.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Overview
Our current short- and long-term sources of funds include cash and cash equivalents, cash flows from operations, borrowings (including the undrawn commitments available under the Current MetLife Facility), and issuances of additional equity securities. Our current available liquidity is approximately $209.7 million, consisting of approximately $60.1 million in cash on hand and, based on the current level of collateral pledged, approximately $149.6 million of availability under the Current MetLife Facility (subject to compliance with covenants) and other undrawn notes or bonds. In addition, we currently have certain properties valued at a total of approximately $130.5 million that are unencumbered and eligible to be pledged as collateral.
Over 99.9% of our borrowings are currently at fixed rates, and on a weighted-average basis, these rates are fixed at an effective interest rate (after interest patronage) of 3.34% for another 4.2 years. In addition, the weighted-average remaining term of our notes and bonds payable is approximately 8.8 years. As such, with respect to our current borrowings, we have experienced minimal impact from increased interest rates over the past year, and we believe we are well-protected against any further interest rate increases. Despite ongoing uncertainty in the markets, based on discussions with our lenders, we do not believe there will be a credit freeze on agricultural lending in the near term. We are in compliance with all of our debt covenants under our respective credit facilities and borrowings, and we believe we currently have adequate liquidity to cover all near- and long-term debt obligations and operating expenses.
Future Capital Needs
Our short- and long-term liquidity requirements consist primarily of making principal and interest payments on outstanding borrowings; funding our general operating costs; making dividend payments on our currently-designated preferred securities; making distributions to stockholders (including non-controlling OP Unitholders, if any) to maintain our qualification as a REIT; and, as capital is available, funding capital improvements on existing farms and new farmland and farm-related acquisitions consistent with our investment strategy.
In the near term, we believe that our current and short-term cash resources will be sufficient to service our debt; fund our current operating costs; pay dividends on our currently-designated preferred securities; and fund our distributions to stockholders (including non-controlling OP Unitholders). We expect to meet our long-term liquidity requirements through
50
Table of Content
various sources of capital, including long-term mortgage indebtedness and bond issuances, future equity issuances (including, but not limited to, shares of our Series E Preferred Stock, OP Units through our Operating Partnership as consideration for future acquisitions, and shares of common stock through our ATM Program), and other secured and unsecured borrowings.
We intend to use a significant portion of any current and future available liquidity to purchase additional farms and farm-related facilities. We continue to actively seek and evaluate acquisitions of additional farms and farm-related facilities that satisfy our investment criteria, and we have several properties that are in various stages of our due diligence process. However, all potential acquisitions will be subject to our due diligence investigation of such properties, and there can be no assurance that we will be successful in identifying or acquiring any properties in the future.
Operating Commitments and Obligations
See Note 7, “Commitments and Contingencies,” in the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements for additional discussion around certain operating and ground lease obligations.
Cash Flow Resources
The following table summarizes total net cash flows for operating, investing, and financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (dollars in thousands):
| For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | $ Change | % Change | ||||||||||||
| Net change in cash from: | |||||||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 40,081 | $ | 43,788 | $ | (3,707) | (8.5)% | ||||||||
| Investing activities | (3,768) | (85,484) | 81,716 | 95.6% | |||||||||||
| Financing activities | (78,883) | 86,129 | (165,012) | (191.6)% | |||||||||||
| Net change in Cash and cash equivalents | $ | (42,570) | $ | 44,433 | $ | (87,003) | (195.8)% |
Operating Activities
The majority of cash from operating activities is generated from the rental payments we receive from our tenants, which is first used to fund our property-level operating expenses, with any excess cash being primarily used for principal and interest payments on our borrowings, management fees to our Adviser, administrative fees to our Administrator, and other corporate-level expenses. Cash provided by operating activities decreased, primarily due to the acquisition of additional long-term water assets during 2023 and the timing of certain rental cash payments received and interest payments made during the respective periods. This was partially offset by a decrease in aggregate fees paid to our Advisor during the current year.
Investing Activities
The change in cash from investing activities was primarily due to a decrease in aggregate cash paid for acquisitions of new farms and capital improvements on existing farms during the current year, partially offset by the proceeds received from the sale of a 138-acre parcel of unfarmed land in Florida for $9.6 million during the current year, which resulted in a net gain of approximately $6.4 million.
Financing Activities
The change in cash from financing activities was primarily due to a decrease in aggregate net proceeds received from preferred and common equity offerings of approximately $153.9 million and a decrease in aggregate net borrowings of approximately $11.2 million.
Debt Capital
MetLife Facility
The Current MetLife Facility currently consists of an aggregate of $75.0 million of revolving equity lines of credit and an aggregate of $175.0 million of term notes. We currently have $200,000 outstanding under the lines of credit and $36.9 million outstanding on the term notes. While $212.9 million of the full commitment amount under the Current MetLife Facility remains undrawn, based on the current level of collateral pledged, we currently have approximately $110.2 million of availability under the Current MetLife Facility. As recently amended, the revolving equity lines of credit mature on December 15, 2033, and the draw period for both term notes expires on December 31, 2024, after which MetLife has no obligation to disburse any additional undrawn funds under the term notes.
51
Table of Content
Farmer Mac Facility
As amended in June 2023, the Farmer Mac Facility provides for bond issuances up to an aggregate amount of $225.0 million by December 31, 2026, after which, Farmer Mac has no obligation to purchase additional bonds under this facility. To date, we have issued aggregate bonds of approximately $100.1 million under the Farmer Mac Facility.
Farm Credit and Other Lenders
Since September 2014, we have closed on multiple loans with various different Farm Credit associations (for additional information on these associations, see Note 4, “Borrowings,” within the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements). We also have borrowing relationships with several other agricultural lenders and are continuously reaching out to other lenders to establish prospective new relationships. As such, we expect to enter into additional borrowing agreements with existing and new lenders in connection with certain potential new acquisitions in the future.
Equity Capital
The following table provides information on equity sales that have occurred since January 1, 2023 (dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts):
| Type of Issuance | Number of Shares Sold | Weighted-average Offering Price Per Share | Gross Proceeds | Net Proceeds(1) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series E Preferred Stock | 247,781 | 24.96 | 6,184 | 5,575 | ||||||
| Common Stock – ATM Program | 788,045 | 19.34 | 15,240 | 15,087 |
(1)Net of selling commissions and dealer-manager fees or underwriting discounts and commissions (in each case, as applicable).
Our 2023 Registration Statement (as defined in Note 8, “Equity—Registration Statement,” within the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements) permits us to issue up to an aggregate of $1.5 billion in securities, consisting of common stock, preferred stock, warrants, debt securities, depository shares, subscription rights, and units, including through separate, concurrent offerings of two or more of such securities. To date, we have issued approximately $4.2 million of Series E Preferred Stock, and $2.2 million of common stock under the 2023 Registration Statement.
In addition, we have the ability to, and expect to in the future, issue additional OP Units to third parties as consideration in future property acquisitions.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of December 31, 2023, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Funds from Operations, Core Funds from Operations, and Adjusted Funds from Operations
The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) developed funds from operations (“FFO”) as a relative non-GAAP supplemental measure of operating performance of an equity REIT to recognize that income-producing real estate historically has not depreciated on the same basis as determined under GAAP. FFO, as defined by NAREIT, is net income (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding gains or losses from sales of property and impairment losses on property, plus depreciation and amortization of real estate assets, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. We further present core FFO (“CFFO”) and adjusted FFO (“AFFO”) as additional non-GAAP financial measures of our operational performance, as we believe both CFFO and AFFO improve comparability on a period-over-period basis and are more useful supplemental metrics for investors to use in assessing our operational performance on a more sustainable basis than FFO. We believe that these additional performance metrics, along with the most directly-comparable GAAP measure, provide investors with helpful insight regarding how management measures our ongoing performance, as each of CFFO and AFFO (and their respective per-share amounts) are used by management and our Board of Directors, as appropriate, in assessing overall performance, as well as in certain decision-making analysis, including, but not limited to, the timing of acquisitions and potential equity raises (and the type of securities to offer in any such equity raises), the determination of any fee credits, and declarations of distributions on our common stock. The non-GAAP financial measures presented herein have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for an analysis of our results calculated in accordance with GAAP. We believe that net income is the most directly-comparable GAAP measure to each of FFO, CFFO, and AFFO.
Specifically, we believe that FFO is helpful to investors in better understanding our operating performance, primarily because its calculation excludes depreciation and amortization expense on real estate assets, as we believe that GAAP historical cost
52
Table of Content
depreciation of real estate assets is generally not correlated with changes in the value of those assets, particularly with farmland real estate, the value of which does not diminish in a predictable manner over time, as historical cost depreciation implies. Further, we believe that CFFO and AFFO are helpful in understanding our operating performance in that it removes certain items that, by their nature, are not comparable on a period-over-period basis and therefore tend to obscure actual operating performance. In addition, we believe that providing CFFO and AFFO as additional performance metrics allows investors to gauge our overall performance in a manner that is more similar to how our performance is measured by management (including their respective per-share amounts), as well as by analysts and the overall investment community.
We calculate CFFO by adjusting FFO for the following items:
•Acquisition- and disposition-related expenses. Acquisition- and disposition-related expenses (including due diligence costs on acquisitions not consummated and certain auditing and accounting fees incurred that were directly related to completed acquisitions or dispositions) are incurred for investment purposes and do not correlate with the ongoing operations of our existing portfolio. Further, certain auditing and accounting fees incurred vary depending on the number and complexity of acquisitions or dispositions completed during the period. Due to the inconsistency in which these costs are incurred and how they have historically been treated for accounting purposes, we believe the exclusion of these expenses improves comparability of our operating results on a period-to-period basis.
•Other adjustments. We will adjust for certain non-recurring charges and receipts and will explain such adjustments accordingly. We believe the exclusion of these amounts improves comparability of our operating results on a period-to-period basis and will apply consistent definitions of CFFO for all prior-year periods presented to provide consistency and better comparability.
Further, we calculate AFFO by adjusting CFFO for the following items:
•Rent adjustments. This adjustment removes the effects of straight-lining rental income, as well as the amortization related to above-market lease values and certain noncash lease incentives and accretion related to below-market lease values, certain other deferred revenue, and tenant improvements, resulting in rental income reflected on a modified accrual cash basis. In addition to these adjustments, we also modify the calculation of cash rents within our definition of AFFO to provide greater consistency and comparability due to the period-to-period volatility in which cash rents are received. To coincide with our tenants’ harvest seasons, our leases typically provide for cash rents to be paid at various points throughout the lease year, usually annually or semi-annually. As a result, cash rents received during a particular period may not necessarily be comparable to other periods or represent the cash rents indicative of a given lease year. Therefore, we further adjust AFFO to normalize the cash rent received pertaining to a lease year over that respective lease year on a straight-line basis, resulting in cash rent being recognized ratably over the period in which the cash rent is earned. During the three months ended December 31, 2023, we adjusted our definition of AFFO to exclude from this adjustment the removal of lease incentives that were a result of previous cash disbursements made by us to or on behalf of our tenants. The results of all years presented, including those of the prior years, have been adjusted in the table below to conform with this new definition.
•Amortization of debt issuance costs. The amortization of costs incurred to obtain financing is excluded from AFFO, as it is a non-cash expense item that is not directly related to the operating performance of our properties.
•Other adjustments. We will adjust for certain non-cash charges and receipts and will explain such adjustments accordingly. We believe the exclusion of such non-cash amounts improves comparability of our operating results on a period-to-period basis and will apply consistent definitions of AFFO for all prior-year periods presented to provide consistency and better comparability.
We believe the foregoing adjustments aid our investors’ understanding of our ongoing operational performance.
FFO, CFFO, and AFFO do not represent cash flows from operating activities in accordance with GAAP, which, unlike FFO, CFFO, and AFFO, generally reflects all cash effects of transactions and other events in the determination of net income, and should not be considered an alternative to net income as an indication of our performance or to cash flows from operations as a measure of liquidity or ability to make distributions. Comparisons of FFO, CFFO, and AFFO, using the NAREIT definition for FFO and the definitions above for CFFO and AFFO, to similarly-titled measures for other REITs may not necessarily be meaningful due to possible differences in the definitions used by such REITs.
Diluted funds from operations (“Diluted FFO”), diluted core funds from operations (“Diluted CFFO”), and diluted adjusted funds from operations (“Diluted AFFO”) per share are FFO, CFFO, and AFFO, respectively, divided by the weighted-average number of total shares (including shares of our common stock and OP Units held by non-controlling limited partners) outstanding on a fully-diluted basis during a period. We believe that diluted earnings per share is the most directly-comparable GAAP measure to each of Diluted FFO, CFFO, and AFFO per share. Because many REITs provide Diluted FFO, CFFO, and
53
Table of Content
AFFO per share information to the investment community, we believe these are useful supplemental measures when comparing us to other REITs.
We believe that FFO, CFFO, and AFFO and Diluted FFO, CFFO, and AFFO per share are useful to investors because they provide investors with a further context for evaluating our FFO, CFFO, and AFFO results in the same manner that investors use net income and EPS in evaluating net income.
The following table provides a reconciliation of our FFO, CFFO, and AFFO for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 to the most directly-comparable GAAP measure, net income, and a computation of diluted FFO, CFFO, and AFFO per share, using the weighted-average number of total shares (including shares of our common stock and OP Units held by non-controlling OP Unitholders) outstanding during the respective periods (dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts):
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||
| Net income | $ | 14,565 | $ | 4,716 | $ | 3,514 | ||||
| Less: Aggregate dividends declared on and charges related to extinguishment of cumulative redeemable preferred stock(1) | (24,417) | (19,718) | (12,258) | |||||||
| Net loss attributable to common stockholders and non-controlling OP Unitholders | (9,852) | (15,002) | (8,744) | |||||||
| Plus: Real estate and intangible depreciation and amortization | 37,161 | 35,366 | 27,183 | |||||||
| (Less) plus: (Gains) losses on dispositions of real estate assets, net | (5,208) | 3,760 | 2,537 | |||||||
| Adjustments for unconsolidated entities(2) | 92 | 57 | 36 | |||||||
| FFO available to common stockholders and non-controlling OP Unitholders | 22,193 | 24,181 | 21,012 | |||||||
| Plus: Acquisition- and disposition-related expenses, net | 149 | 438 | 355 | |||||||
| Plus (less): Other nonrecurring charges (receipts), net(3) | 1,418 | 1,023 | (12) | |||||||
| CFFO available to common stockholders and non-controlling OP Unitholders | 23,760 | 25,642 | 21,355 | |||||||
| Net rent adjustments | (4,519) | (3,371) | (2,414) | |||||||
| Plus: Amortization of debt issuance costs | 1,065 | 1,085 | 1,172 | |||||||
| (Less) plus: Other non-cash (receipts) charges, net(4) | 17 | 907 | 246 | |||||||
| AFFO available to common stockholders and non-controlling OP Unitholders | $ | 20,323 | $ | 24,263 | $ | 20,359 | ||||
| Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding | 35,733,742 | 34,563,460 | 30,357,268 | |||||||
| Weighted-average common non-controlling OP Units outstanding | — | 61,714 | 166,067 | |||||||
| Weighted-average shares of common shares outstanding, fully diluted | 35,733,742 | 34,625,174 | 30,523,335 | |||||||
| Diluted FFO per weighted-average total common share | $ | 0.62 | $ | 0.70 | $ | 0.69 | ||||
| Diluted CFFO per weighted-average total common share | $ | 0.66 | $ | 0.74 | $ | 0.70 | ||||
| Diluted AFFO per weighted-average total common share | $ | 0.57 | $ | 0.70 | $ | 0.67 | ||||
| Distributions declared per total common share | $ | 0.55 | $ | 0.55 | $ | 0.54 |
(1)Includes (i) cash dividends paid on our cumulative redeemable preferred stock, (ii) the value of additional shares of Series C Preferred Stock issued pursuant to the DRIP, and (iii) the pro-rata write-off of offering costs related to shares of cumulative redeemable preferred stock that were redeemed during the respective periods.
(2)Represents our pro-rata share of depreciation expense recorded in unconsolidated entities during the respective periods.
(3)Consists primarily of (i) net property and casualty losses (recoveries) recorded and the cost of related repairs expensed as a result of the damage caused to certain improvements by natural disasters on certain of our farms, (ii) costs related to the amendment, termination, and listing of shares from the Series C Offering that were expensed, and (iii) the write-off of certain unallocated costs related to a prior universal registration statement.
(4)Consists of (i) the amount of dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock paid via issuing new shares (pursuant to the DRIP), (ii) the pro-rata write-off of offering costs related to shares of cumulative redeemable preferred stock that were redeemed, which were noncash charges, (iii) our remaining pro-rata share of (income) loss recorded from investments in unconsolidated entities during the respective periods, and (iv) less noncash income recorded during 2023 as a result of additional water assets received as consideration in certain transactions.
Net Asset Value
Real estate companies are required to record real estate using the historical cost basis of the real estate, adjusted for accumulated depreciation and amortization, and, as a result, the carrying value of the real estate does not typically change as the fair value of the assets change. Thus, one challenge is determining the fair value of the real estate in order to allow stockholders to see the value of the real estate increase or decrease over time, which we believe is useful to our investors.
Determination of Fair Value
54
Table of Content
Our Board of Directors reviews and approves the valuations of our properties pursuant to a valuation policy approved by our Board of Directors (the “Valuation Policy”). Such review and approval occurs in three phases: (i) prior to its quarterly meetings, the Board of Directors receives written valuation recommendations and supporting materials that are provided by professionals of the Adviser and Administrator, with oversight and direction from the chief valuation officer, who is also employed by the Administrator (collectively, the “Valuation Team”); (ii) the valuation committee of the Board of Directors (the “Valuation Committee”), which is comprised entirely of independent directors, meets to review the valuation recommendations and supporting materials; and (iii) after the Valuation Committee concludes its meeting, it and the chief valuation officer present the Valuation Committee’s findings to the entire Board of Directors so that the full Board of Directors may review and approve the fair values of our properties in accordance with the Valuation Policy. Further, on a quarterly basis, the Board of Directors reviews the Valuation Policy to determine if changes thereto are advisable and also reviews whether the Valuation Team has applied the Valuation Policy consistently.
Per the Valuation Policy, our valuations are generally derived based on the following:
•For properties acquired within 12 months prior to the date of valuation, the purchase price of the property will generally be used as the current fair value unless overriding factors apply. In situations where OP Units are issued as partial or whole consideration in connection with the acquisition of a property, the fair value of the property will generally be the lower of: (i) the agreed-upon purchase price between the seller and the buyer (as shown in the purchase and sale agreement or contribution agreement and using the agreed-upon pricing of the OP Units, if applicable), or (ii) the value as determined by an independent, third-party appraiser.
•For real estate we acquired more than one year prior to the date of valuation, we determine the fair value either by relying on estimates provided by independent, third-party appraisers or through an internal valuation process. In addition, if significant capital improvements take place on a property, we will typically have those properties reappraised upon completion of the project by an independent, third-party appraiser. In any case, we intend to have each property valued by an independent, third-party appraiser via a full appraisal at least once every three years, with interim values generally being determined by either: (i) a restricted appraisal (a “desk appraisal”) performed by an independent, third-party appraiser, or (ii) our internal valuation process.
Various methodologies were used, both by the appraisers and in our internal valuations, to determine the fair value of our real estate, including the sales comparison, income capitalization (or a discounted cash flow analysis), and cost approaches of valuation. In performing their analyses, the appraisers typically (i) conducted site visits to the properties (where full appraisals were performed), (ii) discussed each property with our Adviser and reviewed property-level information, including, but not limited to, property operating data, prior appraisals (as available), existing lease agreements, farm acreage, location, access to water and water rights, potential for future development, and other property-level information, and (iii) reviewed information from a variety of sources about regional market conditions applicable to each of our properties, including, but not limited to, recent sale prices of comparable farmland, market rents for similar farmland, estimated marketing and exposure time, market capitalization rates, and the current economic environment, among others. In performing our internal valuations, we will consider the most recent appraisal available and use similar methodologies in determining an updated fair value. We will also obtain updated market data related to the property, such as updated sales and market rent comparisons and market capitalization rates, and perform an updated assessment of the tenants’ credit risk profiles, among others. Sources of this data may come from market inputs from recent acquisitions of our own portfolio of real estate, recent appraisals of properties we own that are similar in nature and in the same region (as applicable) as the property being valued, market conditions and trends we observe in our due diligence process, and conversations with appraisers, brokers, and farmers.
A breakdown of the methodologies used to value our properties and the aggregate value as of December 31, 2023, determined by each method is shown in the table below (dollars in thousands, except in footnotes):
| Valuation Method | Number of Farms | Total Acres | Farm Acres | Acre-feet of Water | Net CostBasis(1) | Current Fair Value | % of Total Fair Value | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase Price | — | — | — | 1,400 | $ | 573 | $ | 573 | 0.0% | |||||||||
| Sales Price | 1 | 3,748 | 3,748 | — | 53,626 | 65,652 | 4.2% | |||||||||||
| Internal Valuation | 3 | 6,189 | 4,730 | — | 20,034 | 36,000 | 2.3% | |||||||||||
| Third-party Appraisal(2) | 165 | 105,647 | 87,667 | 45,000 | 1,265,859 | 1,464,249 | 93.5% | |||||||||||
| Total | 169 | 115,584 | 96,145 | 46,400 | $ | 1,340,092 | $ | 1,566,474 | 100.0% |
(1)Consists of the initial acquisition price (including the costs allocated to both tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed), plus subsequent improvements and other capitalized costs paid for by us that were associated with the properties, and adjusted for accumulated depreciation and amortization.
(2)Appraisals performed between March 2023 and December 2023.
Some of the significant assumptions used by appraisers and the Valuation Team in valuing our portfolio as of December 31, 2023, include land values per farmable acre, market rental rates per farmable acre and the resulting net operating income
55
Table of Content
(“NOI”) at the property level, and capitalization rates, among others. These assumptions were applied on a farm-by-farm basis and were selected based on several factors, including comparable land sales, surveys of both existing and current market rates, discussions with other brokers and farmers, soil quality, size, location, and other factors deemed appropriate. A summary of these significant assumptions is provided in the following table:
| Appraisal Assumptions | Internal Valuation Assumptions | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Range (Low - High) | Weighted Average | Range (Low - High) | Weighted Average | ||||
| Land Value (per farmable acre) | $708 – $123,280 | $35,320 | $5,512 – $17,521 | $13,268 | |||
| Market NOI (per farmable acre) | $230 – $3,536 | $1,526 | N/A | N/A | |||
| Market Capitalization Rate | 3.30% – 5.30% | 4.43% | N/A | N/A |
Note: Figures in the table above apply only to the farmland portion of our portfolio and exclude assumptions made related to water, farm-related facilities (e.g., cooling facilities), and other structures on our properties (e.g., residential housing).
Our Valuation Team reviews the appraisals, including the significant assumptions and inputs used in determining the appraised values, and considers any developments that may have occurred since the time the appraisals were performed. Developments considered that may have an impact on the fair value of our real estate include, but are not limited to, changes in tenant credit profiles, changes in lease terms (such as expirations and notices of non-renewals or to vacate), and potential asset sales (particularly those at prices different from the appraised values of our properties).
Management believes that the purchase prices of the farms acquired during the previous 12 months and the most recent appraisals available for the farms acquired prior to the previous 12 months fairly represent the current market values of the properties as of December 31, 2023, and, accordingly, did not make any adjustment to these values.
A quarterly rollforward of the change in our portfolio value for the three months ended December 31, 2023, from the prior value basis as of September 30, 2023, is provided in the table below (dollars in thousands):
| Total portfolio fair value as of September 30, 2023 | $ | 1,579,331 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plus: Acquisition of water assets during the three months ended December 31, 2023 | 551 | |||
| Change in value of farms during the three months ended December 31, 2023 | ||||
| Farms valued based on sales price | $ | 1,951 | ||
| Farms valued via third-party appraisals | (15,359) | |||
| Net change in value of farms during the three months ended December 31, 2023 | (13,408) | |||
| Total portfolio fair value as of December 31, 2023 | $ | 1,566,474 |
Management also determined fair values of all of its long-term borrowings and preferred stock. Using a discounted cash flow analysis, management determined that the fair value of all long-term encumbrances on our properties as of December 31, 2023, was approximately $529.4 million, as compared to a carrying value (excluding unamortized related debt issuance costs) of approximately $576.8 million. The fair values of our Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, and Series D Term Preferred Stock were determined using the closing stock prices as of December 31, 2023, of $19.25 per share, $19.00 per share, and $23.75 per share, respectively. Finally, pursuant to Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Rule 2310(b)(5), with the assistance of a third-party valuation expert, we determined the estimated value of our Series E Preferred Stock to be $25.00 per share as of December 31, 2023 (see Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 10-K).
Calculation of Estimated Net Asset Value
To provide our stockholders with an estimate of the fair value of our real estate assets, we intend to estimate the fair value of our farms and farm-related properties and provide an estimated net asset value (“NAV”) on a quarterly basis. NAV is a non-GAAP, supplemental measure of financial position of an equity REIT and is calculated as total equity, adjusted for the increase or decrease in fair value of our real estate assets and long-term borrowings (including any preferred stock required to be treated as debt for GAAP purposes) relative to their respective cost bases. Further, we calculate NAV per common share by dividing NAV by our total common shares outstanding (consisting of our common stock and OP Units held by non-controlling limited partners).
The fair values presented above and their usage in the calculation of net asset value per share presented below have been prepared by and is the responsibility of management. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has neither examined, compiled, nor performed any procedures with respect to the fair values or the calculation of net asset value per common share, which utilizes information that is not disclosed within the financial statements, and, accordingly, does not express an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto.
56
Table of Content
As of December 31, 2023, we estimate the NAV per common share to be $19.06. A reconciliation of NAV to total equity, which we believe is the most directly-comparable GAAP measure, is provided below (dollars in thousands, except per-share data):
| Total equity per balance sheet | $ | 719,613 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair value adjustment for long-term assets: | ||||
| Less: net cost basis of tangible and intangible real estate holdings(1) | $ | (1,340,092) | ||
| Plus: estimated fair value of real estate holdings(2) | 1,566,474 | |||
| Net fair value adjustment for real estate holdings | 226,382 | |||
| Fair value adjustment for long-term liabilities: | ||||
| Plus: book value of aggregate long-term indebtedness(3) | 637,214 | |||
| Less: fair value of aggregate long-term indebtedness(3)(4) | (586,722) | |||
| Net fair value adjustment for long-term indebtedness | 50,492 | |||
| Estimated NAV | $ | 996,487 | ||
| Less: aggregate fair value of cumulative redeemable preferred stock(5) | (313,524) | |||
| Estimated NAV available to common stockholders and non-controlling OP Unitholders | $ | 682,963 | ||
| Total common shares and non-controlling OP Units outstanding | 35,838,442 | |||
| Estimated NAV per common share and OP Unit | $ | 19.06 |
(1)Per Net Cost Basis as presented in the table above.
(2)Per Current Fair Value as presented in the table above.
(3)Includes the principal balances outstanding of all long-term borrowings (consisting of notes and bonds payable) and the Series D Term Preferred Stock.
(4)Long-term notes and bonds payable were valued using a discounted cash flow model. The Series D Term Preferred Stock was valued based on its closing stock price as of December 31, 2023.
(5)The Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock were valued based on their respective closing stock prices as of December 31, 2023, while the Series E Preferred Stock was valued at its liquidation value, as discussed above.
A quarterly rollforward in the estimated NAV per common share and OP Unit for the three months ended December 31, 2023, is provided below:
| Estimated NAV per common share and non-controlling OP Unit as of September 30, 2023 | $ | 20.33 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less net loss attributable to common stockholders and non-controlling OP Unitholders | (0.12) | |||
| Adjustments for net change in valuations: | ||||
| Net change in unrealized fair value of farmland portfolio(1) | $ | (0.12) | ||
| Net change in unrealized fair value of long-term indebtedness | (0.35) | |||
| Net change in unrealized fair value of preferred equity securities | (0.46) | |||
| Net change in valuations | (0.93) | |||
| Less distributions on common stock and non-controlling OP Units | (0.14) | |||
| Less net dilutive effect of equity issuances and redemptions, net | (0.08) | |||
| Estimated NAV per common share and non-controlling OP Unit as of December 31, 2023 | $ | 19.06 |
(1)The net change in unrealized fair value of our farmland portfolio consists of three components: (i) a decrease of $0.43 per share due to the net depreciation in value of the farms that were valued during the three months ended December 31, 2023, (ii) an increase of $0.27 per share due to the aggregate depreciation and amortization expense recorded during the three months ended December 31, 2023, and (iii) an increase of $0.04 per share due to net asset dispositions or capital improvements made on certain farms that have not yet been considered in the determination of the respective farms’ estimated fair values.
Comparison of estimated NAV and estimated NAV per common share, using the definitions above, to similarly-titled measures for other REITs may not necessarily be meaningful due to possible differences in the calculation or application of the definition of NAV used by such REITs. In addition, the trading price of our common shares may differ significantly from our most recent estimated NAV per common share calculation. For example, while we estimated our NAV per common share to be $19.06 as of December 31, 2023, based on the calculation above, the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2023, was $14.45 per share.
The determination of estimated NAV is subjective and involves a number of assumptions, judgments, and estimates, and minor adjustments to these assumptions, judgments, or estimates may have a material impact on our overall portfolio valuation. In addition, many of the assumptions used are sensitive to market conditions and can change frequently. Changes in the market environment and other events that may occur during our ownership of these properties may cause the values reported above to vary from the actual fair value that may be obtained in the open market. Further, while management believes the values presented reflect current market conditions, the ultimate amount realized on any asset will be based on the timing of such
57
Table of Content
dispositions and the then-current market conditions. There can be no assurance that the ultimate realized value upon disposition of an asset will approximate the estimated fair value above.