UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM10-K

Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the Fiscal Year EndedSeptember 30, 2020

or

Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period

from ____________________to_________________________

Commission File Number:0-261

ALICO, INC.

FORM 10-K/A
(Amendment No. 1)
þANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018
or
¨

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period
from____________________to______________________
Commission File Number: 0-261
Alico, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Florida

59-0906081

Florida59-0906081

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

10070 Daniels Interstate Court

Suite 100 Fort Myers FL

33913

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)


Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 239-226-2000
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:

(239) 226-2000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of class:each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered:registered

COMMON CAPITAL STOCK,  $1.00 Par value

Common Stock

ALCO

NASDAQ Global Select Market


Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes ¨ Noþ


Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

Yes ¨ Noþ


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that suchthe registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filingsfiling requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No¨


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No¨


Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 or Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “non-accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging"emerging growth company”company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange ActAct. (Check one):


Large Accelerated Filer

Accelerated Filer

Large accelerated filer¨Accelerated filerþ

Non-accelerated filer

¨

Smaller Reporting Company

¨

Emerging Growth Company

¨


If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.)Act).  Yes ¨ No þ


The aggregate market value of the voting and nonvoting common equity held by non-affiliates based on the closing price, as quoted on the Nasdaq Global Select Market as of March 29, 201831, 2020 (the last business day of Alico’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter) was $89,596,038.$162,656,988. Solely for the purposes of this calculation, the registrant has elected to treat all executives, officers and greater than 10% stockholders as affiliates of the registrant. There were 7,454,7957,506,160 shares of common stock outstanding at December 3, 2018.



4, 2020.

Documents Incorporated by Reference:


The following documents (or parts thereof)

Portions of the Proxy Statement of Registrant for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (to be filed with the SEC under Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the Registrant's fiscal year), are incorporated by reference into the following parts of this Form 10-K/A: None







Explanatory Note


This Amendment No. 1 to Form 10-K (this “Amendment”) amends the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, originally filed on December 6, 2018 (the “Original Filing”) by Alico, Inc., a Florida corporation (“Alico”, the “Company”, “we” or “us”). We are filing this Amendment solely to present the information required by Part III and Part IV of the Form 10-K. Also, this Amendment amends the cover page of the Original Filing to delete the reference on the cover of the Original Filing to the incorporation by reference to portions of our definitive proxy statement intoin Part III of the Original Filing. In accordance with Rule 12b-15, Part III, Items 10 through 14 of the Original Filing have been amended and restated in their entirety, and Part IV, Item 15 of the Original Filing has been amended and restated solely to include as exhibits the required certifications by Alico’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer.

Except as described above, no other changes have been made to the Original Filing. The Original Filing continues to speak as of the date of the Original Filing, and we have not updated the disclosures contained therein to reflect any events which occurred at a date subsequent to the filing of the Original Filing.



this report.


ALICO, INC.

FORM 10-K/A

10-K

For the fiscal year endedSeptember 30, 2018






2020

PART I

Item 1. Business

4

PART III

Item 1A. Risk Factors

11

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

20

Item 2. Properties

20

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

20

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

21

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

22

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

25

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

26

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

40

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

40

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

75

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

75

Item 9B. Other Information

75

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

476

Item 11. Executive Compensation

1076

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

2276

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence

2577

Item 14. Principal AccountingAccountants Fees and Services

2777

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

2878

Signatures

33Item 16. 10-K Summary

81

Signatures

82




PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The names of the members of our Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”), their respective ages, their positions with Alico (as applicable) and other biographical information as of January 15, 2019, are set forth below.
NameAgePosition
George R. Brokaw51Executive Vice Chairman, Director
R. Greg Eisner36Director
Benjamin D. Fishman42Interim President and Director
W. Andrew Krusen, Jr.70Director
Joseph S. Sambuco57Director
Henry R. Slack68Executive Chairman and Director
Remy W. Trafelet48
Chief Executive Officer and President and Director (1)
(1) On November 19, 2018, Alico, with unanimous approval of the members of the Board other than Mr. Trafelet, notified Mr. Trafelet that it intends to consider terminating his employment for “cause” pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement with the Company and option agreements entered into under the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan of 2015. Mr. Trafelet has been placed

Cautionary Statement

This Annual Report on administrative leave pending the outcome of these proceedings.


George R. Brokaw - Mr. Brokaw has served on the Board of Directors since November 19, 2013 and as Executive Vice Chairman since December 31, 2016. He brings to the Board of Directors extensive knowledge and experience in the areas of business, finance and capital markets. Mr. Brokaw is a private investor through several private and public investment vehicles. He also serves as a director of DISH Network Corporation, Modern Media Corporation, Consolidated-Tomoka Land Company, and Asia Research & Capital Management. Mr. Brokaw previously served as a Managing Director at Highbridge Principal Strategies, LLC. Prior to joining Highbridge, he served as a Managing Partner and Head of Private Equity at Perry Capital, LLC. He has also formerly served as Managing Director of Lazard Freres & Co. LLC. Mr. Brokaw has previously served as a director to several companies, including: American Energy Partners Inc., Capital Business Credit LLC, Timberstar, and Value Place Holdings LLC. Mr. Brokaw received a B.A. degree from Yale University and J.D. and M.B.A. degrees from the University of Virginia. Mr. Brokaw is a member of the New York Bar.

R. Greg Eisner - Mr. Eisner has served on the Board of Directors since November 19, 2013, and brings extensive knowledge and experience in finance and investments. Mr. Eisner is the President of Engineers Gate LP, a proprietary quantitative trading firm founded in early 2014, and consults for Dubin & Co. LP, an investment firm managed on behalf of Glenn Dubin and his family interests. Prior to joining Dubin & Co. in 2013, Mr. Eisner was a Managing Director and the Chief Operating Officer of Hedge Fund Strategies for J.P. Morgan Asset Management. From 2005 through 2012, Mr. Eisner held various positions at Highbridge Capital Management, including Head of Corporate Strategy and, in 2010, led J.P. Morgan and Highbridge’s purchase of a majority interest in Gávea Investimentos. Mr. Eisner has served on a number of private company boards and board committees across the financial, energy, retail, and media sectors. Prior to joining Highbridge in 2005, Mr. Eisner was an investment banker in Mergers and Acquisitions at The Blackstone Group. Mr. Eisner earned his B.S. degree in Economics and B.A. degree in Philosophy, magna cum laude, from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a Joseph Wharton and Benjamin Franklin Scholar.

Benjamin D. Fishman - Mr. Fishman has served on the Board of Directors since November 19, 2013 and brings to the Board of Directors extensive knowledge and experience in the agriculture industry. On November 19, 2018, Mr. Fishman was appointed as Interim President of Alico. Mr. Fishman is a Managing Director of Arlon Group, the investment arm of Continental Grain Company, and is focused on the activities of the Arlon food and agriculture investment program, which targets investments across the food and agriculture value chain and seeks to provide long-term growth capital for companies. Mr. Fishman began his career at Continental Grain Company in 1998. He left Continental Grain Company to co-found The Grow Network in 2000, which was sold to the McGraw-Hill Companies in 2004. In 2005, Mr. Fishman was a National Finalist for the White House Fellowship, and currently, Mr. Fishman is a board member of Grandpoint Capital, Inc., CiCi's Holdings, Inc., and The Coastal Companies, and a Member of the Alumni Council of Collegiate School in New York City. Mr. Fishman received his B.A. degree, cum laude, from Princeton University.



W. Andrew Krusen, Jr. - Mr. Krusen has served on the Board of Directors since November 19, 2013 and brings to the Board of Directors extensive knowledge and experience in the areas of business leadership, finance and capital markets and real estate. Mr. Krusen is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dominion Financial Group, Inc., a merchant banking organization that provides investment capital to the natural resources, communications and manufacturing and distribution sectors. He is also the managing member of Gulf Standard Energy, LLC, an oil and gas concern, and the managing member of Krusen-Douglas, LLC, a large landowner in the Tampa, Florida area. Mr. Krusen serves as a director of publicly traded Exactech, Inc., a developer and distributor of orthopedic implant devices, Raymond James Trust Company, a subsidiary of Raymond James Financial, Inc., as well as several privately held companies, including Beall’s Inc. and Romark Laboratories, L.C. He is currently a director and Chairman of Florida Capital Group, Inc., a Florida bank holding company, as well as Florida Capital Bank, N.A., its wholly owned subsidiary. Mr. Krusen is a former member of the Young Presidents’ Organization, and is currently a member of the World President’s Organization and the Society of International Business Fellows. He is a past Chairman of Tampa’s Museum of Science and Industry. Mr. Krusen holds a B.A. degree in Geology from Princeton University.
Joseph S. Sambuco - Mr. Sambuco has served on the Board of Directors since May 2017 and brings to the Board of Directors extensive knowledge and experience in the area of real estate. He serves as the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer at Colonnade Properties LLC. Mr. Sambuco began his real estate career at Lazard Freres & Co in 1982 in their Real Estate division. He focused on the accounting, reporting and due diligence for over $2.0 billion in commercial real estate assets and was also actively involved in the firm's real estate consulting and advisory business. In 1989, Mr. Sambuco became a Managing Director and the Chief Financial Officer of The Taylor Simpson Group ("TSG") when TSG purchased the assets of Lazard's property investment company. He held these responsibilities until 1999 when he formed Colonnade Properties LLC in joint venture with Prudential Real Estate Investors to acquire all assets of TSG. During his career, Mr. Sambuco has been involved with the development of over $1.0 billion of commercial real estate projects, the acquisition of in excess of $5.0 billion of commercial real estate and the operation of more than 15.0 million square feet of commercial real estate. He serves as a Director of the Palm Beach Civic Association and a Trustee on the board of the Palm Beach Day Academy. Mr. Sambuco has a B.A. in Accounting from Rutgers University (1982).
Henry R. Slack - Mr. Slack has served on the Board of Directors since November 19, 2013 and as Executive Chairman since December 31, 2016, and brings to the Board of Directors extensive experience in the areas of business, finance and capital markets. Mr. Slack served as Chairman of Terra Industries, an international nitrogen-based fertilizer company, from 2001 until 2010, and as a director of Terra Industries from 1983 to 2010. Mr. Slack is Chairman of the Advisory Board of Blakeney Limited Partners. For many years he has also served as a director of E. Oppenheimer and Son International Limited, formerly a private investment and family holding company. He was Chief Executive Officer of Minorco SA, an international mining company, from 1991 until 1999, when that company merged with Anglo American Corporation to form Anglo American plc. Mr. Slack was a member of the board of directors and the executive committee of Anglo American Corporation, an international mining finance company, from 1981 until 1999. He has also served on the board of directors of Salomon Brothers Inc., a provider of investment-banking, securities underwriting, and foreign exchange trading services, from 1982 to 1988, SAB Miller plc., one of the world’s largest brewers, from 1998 to 2002, and for more than 20 years on the board of Engelhard Corporation, a supplier of catalysts used in the petroleum, chemical and food industries, until its acquisition in 2006. Mr. Slack holds a B.A. degree in History from Princeton University.
Remy W. Trafelet - Mr. Trafelet has served on the Board of Directors since November 19, 2013 and as President and Chief Executive Officer since December 31, 2016. On November 19, 2018, Alico, with unanimous approval of the members of the Board other than Mr. Trafelet, notified Mr. Trafelet that it intends to consider terminating his employment for “cause“ pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement with the Company and option agreements entered into under the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan of 2015. In connection with such notification, Mr. Trafelet was placed, and currently remains, on paid administrative leave from his positions of President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Trafelet brings to the Board of Directors extensive knowledge and experience in the areas of finance and capital markets. Mr. Trafelet is a Managing Partner of Trafelet Brokaw & Company, LLC, a New York-based private investment management firm. Mr. Trafelet also serves as Managing Member of Trafelet Brokaw Capital Management, LP, and a Member of 734 Agriculture, LLC. He currently serves as Chairman of HazelTree Treasury Management Solutions, which Mr. Trafelet founded in 2009. In 2000, Mr. Trafelet founded Trafelet Delta Funds, LLC. Prior to founding Trafelet Delta Funds, LLC, Mr. Trafelet was a portfolio manager at Fidelity Management and Research Company. Mr. Trafelet is a board member of Children's Scholarship Fund and Boys Club of New York. Mr. Trafelet earned an A.B. degree from Dartmouth College, where he graduated with honors and was named a Presidential Scholar. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst.
The names of our executive officers, their respective ages, their positions with Alico and other biographical information (with respect to the non-director executive officers) as of January 15, 2019, are set forth below.


NameAgePosition
George R. Brokaw51Executive Vice Chairman, Director
Benjamin D. Fishman42Interim President and Director
John E. Kiernan51Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary
Richard Rallo54Chief Accounting Officer
James Sampel54Chief Information Officer
Henry R. Slack68Executive Chairman and Director
Remy W. Trafelet48
Chief Executive Officer and President and Director (1)
(1) On November 19, 2018, Alico, with unanimous approval of the members of the Board other than Mr. Trafelet, notified Mr. Trafelet that it intends to consider terminating his employment for “cause” pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement with the Company and option agreements entered into under the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan of 2015. Mr. Trafelet has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of these proceedings.

John E. Kiernan - Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (June 1, 2015-Present). Before joining Alico, Mr. Kiernan worked as the CFO of Greenwich Associates, a private global research-based consulting firm serving the financial services industry. He previously worked as the Treasurer and SVP for Capital Markets & Risk Management for Global Crossing until its $3 billion sale to Level 3 in 2011. He was also the Vice President of Investor Relations for Misys plc, which maintained a public listing on the London Stock Exchange and a Nasdaq listing for one of its subsidiaries, and a Director of Corporate Development for IBM. Earlier in his career, Mr. Kiernan served as a Managing Director at Bear Stearns, specializing in IPOs and M&A for technology companies. He received a BA in Finance and History summa cum laude from Saint Vincent College, an MBA from the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Virginia School of Law. He is a member of the New York Bar and a Certified Treasury Professional.

Richard Rallo, CPA - Chief Accounting Officer (June 30, 2017-Present). Prior to joining Alico, Mr. Rallo was employed by American Medical Alert Corp. (“AMAC”), a company involved in the manufacturing and distribution of personal emergency response systems and provider of telephone answering services, over the past 16 years in different capacities including Chief Financial Officer and most recently as AMAC’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief Service Officer. AMAC was a publicly traded company until it was acquired by Tunstall in December 2011 at which time AMAC began doing business as Tunstall Americas. Prior to his involvement with AMAC, he held similar financial positions with Tradewell, Inc., a barter company, and Connoisseur Communications Partners L.P., a company that owned and operated radio stations. Mr. Rallo started his career in public accounting for Touche Ross & Co. and Margolin, Winer & Evens LLP. He is a Certified Public Accountant and has a BS in accounting from the University of Denver.
James Sampel - Chief Information Officer (December 31, 2015-Present). Prior to joining Alico, Mr. Sampel was CIO and Managing Director of Greenwich Associates, a research based consulting firm servicing the financial services industry, Director of Information Technology for 454 Life Sciences Corporation, an early-stage life sciences equipment manufacturing company, and Manager of Advanced and Emerging Technology for Perkin Elmer, a Fortune 200 manufacturer of life sciences and laboratory equipment. Previous roles with Perkin Elmer included: Manager of Global Infrastructure, Senior Network Architect, Senior Systems Analyst, Software Support Supervisor and Field Service Engineer. James earned his M.B.A. in Information Systems, Pace University; B.S. in Electronics Engineering Technology from DeVry University.
No family relationships exist between any Directors or Executive Officers,Form 10-K contains certain “forward-looking statements,” as such term is defined in Item 401 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Exchange Act.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a)21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires(the “Exchange Act”). They are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions regarding our business and performance, the Company’s officerseconomy and directors,other future conditions and persons who beneficially own more than 10%forecasts of future events, circumstances and results. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the Company’s Common Stock,fact that they do not relate strictly to file initial reportshistorical or current facts. Forward-looking statements often include words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates”, “estimates”, “projects,” “intends,” “plans” and other words and terms of ownershipsimilar substance in connection with discussions of future operating or financial performance. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future actions, business plans and reportsprospects, prospective products, trends, future performance or results of current and anticipated products, sales efforts, expenses, interest rates, the outcome of contingencies, such as legal proceedings, plans relating to dividends, government regulations, the adequacy of our liquidity to meet our needs for the foreseeable future and our expectations regarding market conditions.

As with any projection or forecast, forward-looking statements are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Our actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements. Should known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, actual results could vary materially from past results and those anticipated, estimated or projected. Investors should bear this in mind as they consider forward-looking statements.

We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of ownershipnew information, future events or otherwise. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). We provide in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” a cautionary discussion of certain risks and furnish copiesuncertainties related to our businesses. These are factors that we believe, individually or in the aggregate, could cause our actual results to differ materially from expected and historical results. We note these factors for investors as permitted by Section 21E of the Exchange Act. In addition, the operation and results of our business are subject to risks and uncertainties identified elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as well as general risks and uncertainties such as those reportsrelating to general economic conditions. You should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such risks. Consequently, you should not consider such discussion to be a complete discussion of all potential risks or uncertainties.


PART I

Item 1. Business

Alico, Inc. (“Alico”) was incorporated under the laws of the state of Florida in 1960. Collectively with its subsidiaries (the "Company", "we", "us" or "our"), our business and operations are described below.  For detailed financial information with respect to our business and our operations, see Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations which is included in Item 7 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements and the related Notes, which are included in Item 8. In addition, general information concerning our Company can be found on our website, the internet address of which is http://www.alicoinc.com. All of our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") including, but not limited to, the Company.

Specific due dates forAnnual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments thereto, are available free of charge on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports have been establishedmaterial is electronically filed or furnished with the SEC. Our recent press releases and information regarding corporate governance, including the charters of our audit, compensation, executive and nominating governance committees, as well as our code of business conduct and ethics are also available to be viewed or downloaded electronically at http://www.alicoinc.com. Unless explicitly stated herein, the information on our website is not incorporated by the SECreference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Company disclaims any such incorporation by reference.

Overview

Alico is requiredan agribusiness with a legacy of achievement and innovation in citrus and conservation. The Company owns approximately 100,000 acres of land in eight Florida counties (Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands and Polk), holding mineral rights on approximately 90,000 acres of those owned acres. Our principal lines of business are citrus groves and conservation.

Alico is one of the largest citrus producers in the United States of America.

Alico, Inc. operates two divisions: Alico Citrus, a citrus producer, and Land Management and Other Operations, which includes land conservation, encompassing environmental services, land leasing and related support operations.

The Company manages its land based upon its primary usage and reviews its performance based upon two primary classifications - Alico Citrus and Land Management and Other Operations. Land Management and Other Operations include leases for grazing rights, hunting leases, a farm lease, a lease to disclose any failurea third party of an aggregate mine, leases of oil extraction rights to file reportsthird parties, and other miscellaneous operations generating income. Alico presents its financial results and the related discussion based upon its two business segments: (i) Alico Citrus and (ii) Land Management and Other Operations.

Recent Developments

The COVID-19 Pandemic

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the current novel coronavirus outbreak (“COVID-19”) to be a global pandemic. In response to this declaration and the rapid spread of COVID-19 within the United States, federal, state and local governments throughout the country have imposed varying degrees of restrictions on social and commercial activity to promote social distancing in an effort to slow the spread of the illness. These measures have had a significant adverse impact upon many sectors of the economy, including certain agriculture businesses.

During March 2020, as a precautionary measure to ensure financial flexibility and maintain maximum liquidity in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company implemented several measures that we believed would ensure sufficient liquidity for the next several months, including drawing down an aggregate of $70,000,000 on its revolving credit facilities. This decision was made to safeguard the Company’s liquidity and to increase available cash on hand in the event that a more protracted COVID-19 outbreak were to put a significant strain on the financial institutions and their ability to loan funds. As of September 30, 2020, the Company, believing that, despite the protracted COVID-19 outbreak, the financial institution industry was experiencing less negative impact from the outbreak than originally expected, proceeded to pay down the majority of the amounts drawn under its revolving credit facilities.

Additionally, for the protection of our employees in accordance with the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, the Company arranged to have the majority of office personnel work remotely, has taken steps to allow and encourage greater separation for our employed and contracted field workers and has worked with its harvesters, haulers and suppliers to minimize interactions. The Company continues to assess the situation on a routine basis.

To date, the Company has experienced no material adverse impacts from this pandemic.


Sale and Purchase of Land

On September 11, 2020, the Company soldapproximately 10,700 acres on the western part of Alico Ranch to the State of Florida for $28,500,000. A portion of these proceeds were used to purchase approximately 3,280 gross citrus acres for $16,450,000 on October 30, 2020.  The purchase of these gross citrus acres was structured to allow the Company to defer income taxes of approximately $4,000,000 from the gain on sale of the approximate 10,700 acres sold to the State of Florida.  

Citrus Grove Management Agreement

On July 16, 2020, the Company executed an agreement with an affiliated group of third parties to provide citrus grove caretaking and harvest and haul management services for approximately 7,000 acres owned by such dates. Based solelythird parties. Pursuant to this agreement, the Company is to be reimbursed by the third parties for all of its costs incurred related to providing these services and also receives a management fee based on acres covered under this agreement.

Agreements with Tropicana

On each of May 18, 2020 and May 20, 2020, the Company entered into a new agreement to supply Tropicana, its largest customer, with citrus fruit. These new agreements are effective October 1, 2020, conclude on July 31, 2024, and succeed an existing agreement that expired at the end of September 2020.

Federal Relief Program

The Company has been eligible for Hurricane Irma federal relief programs for block grants that are being administered through the State of Florida. During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company received approximately $4,629,000 and $15,597,000, respectively, under the Florida Citrus Recovery Block Grant (“CRBG”) program. This represents the Part 1 and Part 2 reimbursement under a three-part program. The timing and amount to be received under Part 3 of the program, if any, has not been finalized.

Distribution of Shares by 734 Investors

On November 14, 2019, 734 Investors filed a Form 4 and an amendment to Schedule 13D with the SEC disclosing that on November 12, 2019, it distributed all of its shares of Company common stock previously held by it, consisting of 3,173,405 shares, on a pro rata basis, to its members. Prior to such distribution, 734 Investors was the Company’s largest shareholder.

Employee and Board of Directors Matters

On August 6, 2020, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company increased the number of its directors by two and appointed Mr. Adam Putnam and Ms. Kate English as directors, each to serve until the 2021 annual meeting of the Company’s shareholders or until his or her earlier death, resignation, or removal in accordance with the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company.

In December 2019, Mr. George R. Brokaw, the then Executive Vice Chairman, informed the Board of Directors that he would voluntarily step down as Executive Vice Chairman effective December 31, 2019 and that change has taken effect. After the effectiveness of this change, Mr. Brokaw has remained a member of the Board of Directors.

Effective February 27, 2020 (which was immediately after the2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders), by way of action that has been taken by and at the direction of the Board of Directors, Benjamin D. Fishman, the non-employee Executive Chairman, became the Chairman of the Board. Mr. Fishman has remained a non-employee director.

The Land We Manage

We regularly review our land holdings to determine the best use of copieseach parcel based upon our management expertise. Our total return profile is a combination of operating income potential and long-term appreciation. Land holdings not meeting our total return criteria are considered surplus to our operations and efforts are being made to sell such reportsland holdings or to exchange such land holdings for land considered to be more compatible with our business objectives and amendments theretototal return profile.


Our land holdings and the operating activities in which we engage are categorized in the following table:

Gross Acreage

Operating Activities

Alico Citrus

Citrus Groves

45,485

Citrus Cultivation

Citrus Nursery

22

Citrus Tree Development

45,507

Land Management and Other Operations

Ranch

52,807

Leasing and Conservation

Other Land

1,446

Mining Lease and Office

54,253

Total

99,760

Alico Citrus

We own and manage citrus land in DeSoto, Polk, Collier, Hendry, Charlotte, Highlands, and Hardee Counties in the State of Florida and engage in the cultivation of citrus trees to produce citrus for delivery to the fresh and processed citrus markets. Alico citrus groves total approximately 45,507 gross acres or 45.6% of our land holdings. The Company also manages approximately 7,200 acres of citrus land on behalf of third-party grove owners in addition to the 45,507 gross acres owned by Alico.

Our citrus acreage is further detailed in the following table:

 

 

Net Plantable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Producing

 

 

Developing

 

 

Fallow

 

 

Total

Plantable

 

 

Support

& Other

 

 

Gross

 

DeSoto County

 

 

15,180

 

 

 

1,096

 

 

 

482

 

 

 

16,758

 

 

 

4,650

 

 

 

21,408

 

Polk County

 

 

4,870

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,870

 

 

 

2,237

 

 

 

7,107

 

Collier County

 

 

4,261

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,261

 

 

 

2,905

 

 

 

7,166

 

Hendry County

 

 

3,546

 

 

 

57

 

 

 

175

 

 

 

3,778

 

 

 

1,707

 

 

 

5,485

 

Charlotte County

 

 

1,729

 

 

 

 

 

 

138

 

 

 

1,867

 

 

 

676

 

 

 

2,543

 

Highlands County

 

 

1,063

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,063

 

 

 

161

 

 

 

1,224

 

Hardee County

 

 

403

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

403

 

 

 

171

 

 

 

574

 

Total

 

 

31,052

 

 

 

1,153

 

 

 

795

 

 

 

33,000

 

 

 

12,507

 

 

 

45,507

 

Of the 45,507 gross acres of citrus land we own and manage, approximately 12,507 acres are classified as support and other information furnishedacreage. Support and other acreage include acres used for roads, barns, water detention, water retention and drainage ditches integral to us,the cultivation of citrus trees, but which are not capable of directly producing fruit. In addition, we believeown a small citrus tree nursery of approximately 22 acres and utilize the trees produced in our own operations. The 32,978 remaining acres are classified as net plantable acres. Net plantable acres are those that duringare capable of directly producing fruit. These include acres that are currently producing, acres that are developing (i.e., acres that are planted with trees too young to commercially produce fruit) and acres that are fallow.

In an effort to replace trees lost in Hurricane Irma and increase the density of our citrus groves, Alico has planted more than 1.3 million new trees over the past four years. This level of planting has been substantially higher than the normal level of tree attrition. We will continue to evaluate the density throughout our groves and determine the appropriate tree plantings moving forward. Typically, citrus trees become fruit bearing approximately four years after planting and peak around seven to eight years after planting.

Our Alico Citrus business segment cultivates citrus trees to produce citrus for delivery to the processed and fresh citrus markets. Our sales to the processed market were approximately 91.0%, 95.0%, and 93.7% of Alico Citrus revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. We produce Early and Mid-Season varieties, primarily Hamlin oranges, as well as a Valencia variety for the processed market. We deliver our fruit to the processors in boxes which each contains approximately 90 pounds of oranges. Because the processors convert the majority of the citrus crop into orange juice, they generally do not buy their citrus on a per box basis, but rather on a pound solids basis, which is the measure of the soluble solids (sugars and acids) contained in one box of citrus fruit. We produced approximately 43,578,000, 46,727,000, and 26,513,000 pound solids for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, from boxes delivered to processing plants of approximately 7,311,000, 7,904,000, and 4,702,000, respectively. As previously indicated, the falloff in fiscal year 2018 was mostly attributable to the impact of Hurricane Irma.


The average pound solids per box was 5.96, 5.91, and 5.64 for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

We generally use multi-year contracts with citrus processors that include pricing structures based on a floor and ceiling price. Therefore, if pricing in the market is favorable relative to our floor price, we benefit from the incremental difference between the floor and the final market price to the extent it does not exceed the ceiling price.

Our citrus produced for the processed citrus market in fiscal year 2020 under our largest agreement was subject to floor prices and ceiling prices. Under this agreement, if the market price was below the floor prices or exceeded the ceiling prices, then 50% of the shortfall or excess was deducted from the floor price or added to the ceiling price. Under our next largest agreement, our citrus produced is subject to a minimum floor price and maximum ceiling price and is a based on a cost-plus structure.

On each of May 18, 2020 and May 20, 2020, the Company entered into two new agreements to supply Tropicana, its largest customer, with citrus fruit. These new agreements are effective October 1, 2020, conclude on July 31, 2024, and succeeded our existing largest agreement with this customer which expired at the end of September 2020.

Although we believe other markets and customers are available for our citrus products, we also believe that new arrangements in these other markets or with other customers may be less favorable than our current contracts.  

Our sales to the fresh citrus market constituted approximately 2.6%, 3.0%, and 2.6% of our Alico Citrus revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. We produce numerous varieties for the fresh fruit market including grapefruit, navel and other fresh varieties. Generally, our fresh fruit is sold to packing houses by the box and the packing houses are responsible for the harvest and haul of these boxes. We produced approximately 267,000, 210,000, and 125,000 fresh fruit boxes for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

On July 16, 2020, the Company executed an agreement with an affiliated group of third parties to provide citrus grove caretaking and harvest and haul management services (“Grove Management Services”) for approximately 7,000 acres owned by such third parties. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company is reimbursed by the third parties for all Directors, Executive Officersof its costs incurred related to providing these services and persons who beneficiallyalso is to receive a management fee based on acres covered under this agreement.The Company, prior to this agreement, was already providing Grove Management Services to several small third-party grove owners on acres within the Company’s groves and continues to provide such services. Revenues generated from our Grove Management Services were approximately 5.1%, 1.1% and 2.3% of our total operating revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Revenues from our Alico Citrus operations were approximately 96.6%, 97.4%, and 96.1% of our total operating revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Land Management and Other Operations

We own and manage land in Collier, Glades, and Hendry Counties and are engaged in land leasing for recreational and grazing purposes, conservation, and mining activities. Our Land Management and Other Operations land holdings total 54,253 gross acres, or 54.4% of our total acreage.

Our Land Management and Other Operations acreage is detailed in the following table as of September 30, 2020:

Acreage

Hendry County

49,705

Glades County

526

Collier County

4,022

Total

54,253

On September 11, 2020, the Company sold approximately 10,700 acres on the western part of Alico Ranch to the State of Florida. Because the acres involved in the sale would have been critical to our planned dispersed water storage project, the Company has decided to no longer pursue permit approval activities for this project. As a result of this decision to no longer pursue permit approval activities for this project, the Company has renamed this segment Land Management and Other Operations to better reflect the components of this segment. The Company did not generate any revenue from thedispersed water storage project and incurred expenses of $1,346,000, $1,206,000 and $1,619,000 for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.


In January 2018, the Company sold its breeding herd and leased grazing rights on the Ranch to a third-party operator. The Company continues to own the property and conduct its long-term dispersed water program and wildlife management programs. As part of the sales transaction, the Company expensed all cattle inventory costs that were accumulated at the date of sale.

Revenues from Land Management and Other Operations were approximately 3.4%, 2.6%, and 3.9% of total operating revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Our Strategy

Our core business strategy is to maximize stockholder value through continuously improving the return on our invested capital, either by holding and managing our existing land through skilled agricultural production, leasing, or other opportunistic means of monetization, disposing of under productive land or business units and acquiring new land or operations with appreciation potential.

Our objectives are to produce the highest quality agricultural products, create innovative land uses, opportunistically acquire and convert undervalued assets, sell under-productive land and other assets not meeting our total return profile, generate recurring and sustainable profit with the appropriate balance of risk and reward, and exceed the expectations of shareholders, customers, clients and partners.

Our strategy is based on best management practices of our agricultural operations and the environmental and conservation stewardship of our land and natural resources. We try to manage our land in a sustainable manner and evaluate the effect of changing land uses while considering new opportunities. Our commitment to environmental stewardship is fundamental to the Company’s core beliefs.

Intellectual Property

While we consider our various intellectual property to be valued assets, we do not believe that our competitive position or our operations are dependent upon or would be materially impacted by any single piece of intellectual property or group of related intellectual property registrations or rights.

Seasonal Nature of Business

As with any agribusiness enterprise, our agribusiness operations and revenues are predominantly seasonal in nature. The following table illustrates the seasonality of our agribusiness revenues:

Fiscal Year

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Ending 12/31

Ending 3/31

Ending 6/30

Ending 9/30

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sept

Harvest Fresh and Early/Mid Varieties of Oranges

X

X

X

X

Harvest Valencia Oranges

X

X

X

X

Significant Customers

Revenue from Tropicana represented approximately 87%, 89%, and 87% of our consolidated revenue for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The revenue in fiscal year 2020 from Tropicana was generated primarily from two separate contracts. This revenue was generated from the sale of our citrus product in the processed market. No other single customer provided more than 10% of our consolidated revenue in fiscal years 2020, 2019 or 2018.

Competition

The orange and specialty citrus markets are intensely competitive, but no single producer has any significant market power over any market segments, as is consistent with the production of most agricultural commodities. Citrus is grown domestically in several states including Florida, California, Arizona and Texas, as well as foreign countries, most notably Brazil and Mexico. Competition is impacted by several factors including quality, production, demand, brand recognition, market prices, weather, disease, export/import restrictions and foreign currency exchange rates.


Governmental Regulations

Our operations are subject to various federal, state and local laws regulating the discharge of materials into the environment. Management believes we are in material compliance with all such rules including permitting and reporting requirements. Historically, compliance with environmental regulations has not had a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Management monitors environmental legislation and requirements and makes every reasonable effort to remain in compliance with such regulations. In addition, we require in our leases that lessees of our property comply with environmental regulations as a condition of leasing.

We are subject to other laws of the United States and the rules and regulations of various governing bodies within the United States, which may differ among jurisdictions. Compliance with these laws, rules and regulation has not had, and is not expected to have, a material effect on our capital expenditures, results of operations and competitive position as compared to prior periods.

Human Capital

Supporting our people is a fundamental value for Alico. We believe the Company’s success depends on its ability to attract, develop and retain key personnel. The skills, experience and industry knowledge of our employees and the employees of our independent contractors, particularly our key employees, significantly benefit our operations and performance. The Company's management oversees various employee initiatives and also monitors the effectiveness of the personnel provided by independent contractors with which we contract for certain harvesting and hauling services.

Health and safety in the workplace for our employees and personnel provided by independent contractors with which we contract is one of the Company’s core values. Hazards in the workplace are actively identified and management tracks incidents so remedial actions can be taken to improve workplace safety. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored for us the importance of keeping our employees and the personnel provided by independent contractors safe and healthy. In response to the pandemic, the Company has taken actions aligned with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to protect its workforce so that its workforce can more safely and effectively perform their work.

Employee levels are managed to align with the pace of business and takes into account the services that are performed for us by our independent contractors. We rely on our independent contractors to manage their respective employee levels so that the harvesting and hauling services they are obligated to perform for us are consistent with the contractual obligations of these independent contractors and enable us to satisfy our harvesting and hauling needs. Management believes that through its own employees, coupled with the human capital supplied by its independent contractors, it has sufficient human capital to operate its business successfully. Management believes that the Company's employee relations are favorable, that its relations with its independent contractors is favorable and that the relations that the independent contractors and the Company has with the employees of the independent contractors is favorable.

We believe in a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion. We are also committed to advancing safe and respectful work environments where our employees are invited to bring their talents, backgrounds and expertise to bear on the success of our business and where every person has the opportunity to thrive personally and professionally.

As of September 30, 2020, we had 251 full-time employees. Our employees work in the following divisions:

Alico Citrus

230

Land Management and Other Operations (1)

0

Corporate, General, Administrative and Other

21

Total employees

251

(1)

There is one employee who is included in Corporate, General, Administrative and Other who oversees the Land Management and Other operations.

None of our employees are subject to a collective bargaining agreement. We believe that our relations with our employees are good.

Capital Resources and Raw Materials

Management believes that the Company will be able to meet its working capital requirements for at least the next 12 months, and over the long term, through internally generated funds, cash flows from operations, the sale of under-productive land and other assets, our existing lines of credit and access to capital markets. The Company has commitments that provide for lines of revolving credit that are available for our general and corporate use.


Raw materials needed to cultivate the various crops grown by the Company consist primarily of fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides and fuel and are readily available from local suppliers.

Available Information

We will provide electronic copies of our SEC filings free of charge upon request. Additionally, our reports, amendments thereto, proxy statements and other information are also made available, free of charge, on our investor relations website at ir.alicoinc.com as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file or furnish such information with the SEC. Any information posted on or linked from our website is not incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The SEC also maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov, which contains annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.


Item 1A. Risk Factors

Our business and results of operations are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control.  The following is a description of key known factors that we believe may materially affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.  They should be considered carefully, in addition to the information set forth elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, including the related Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in making any investment decisions with respect to our securities.  Additional risks or uncertainties that are not currently known to us that we currently deem to be immaterial or that could apply to any company could also materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Risks Related to our Business

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant economic instability and uncertainty and may have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused economic instability and uncertainty globally and may have a material adverse impact, on our business. 

Potential negative impacts of the pandemic include, but are not limited to, the following:

Reduction in customer demand for citrus products and decreased consumer spending levels, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations;

Potential disruption of services on which we rely to deliver our harvested citrus to producers and fulfilling deliveries to production plants, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business or reputation;

We may be unable to obtain financing in the current economic environment on terms that are favorable or acceptable to us, or at all, which could impair our cash flows and restrict our ability to execute on our strategic initiatives and react to changes in our business or the environment;

There could be increased volatility in our stock price related to the pandemic, which could result in the loss of some or all of the value of an investment in the Company;

Our ability to maintain our workforce during these uncertain times,which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations;

Increase in employee absenteeism due to fear of infection, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations;

Increase in possible lawsuits or regulatory actions due to COVID-19 spread in the workplacewhich could materially and adversely affect our results of operations;

Spread of COVID-19 in our workplace,which could materially and adversely affect our business and reputation;

Increase in the possibility of cybersecurity-related events such as COVID-19 themed phishing attacks and other security challenges, particularly as attributable to a substantial number of our employees and suppliers working remotely, which could materially and adversely affect our business and reputation; and

Adverse impact on the productivity of management and our employees that are working remotely, including an impact on our ability to maintain our financial reporting processes and related controls and our ability to manage complex accounting issues presented by the COVID-19 pandemicwhich could materially and adversely affect our business and reputation.

Our business operations could be significantly harmed by natural disasters or global epidemics.

Our business could be adversely affected by natural disasters such as epidemics, outbreaks or other health crisis. An outbreak of avian flu or H1N1 flu in the human population, or another similar health crisis, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic referred to above, could adversely affect economies and financial markets, particularly those in the United States. Moreover, any related disruptions to transportation or the free movement of persons could hamper our operations and force us to close our offices temporarily.


The occurrence of any of the foregoing or other natural or man-made disasters could cause damage or disruption to us, our employees, operations, markets and customers, which could result in significant delays in deliveries or substantial shortages of our products and adversely affect our business results of operations, financial condition or prospects.

Adverse weather conditions, natural disasters and other natural conditions, including the effects of climate change, could impose significant costs and losses on our business.

Fresh produce is vulnerable to adverse weather conditions, including windstorms, floods, drought and temperature extremes, which are quite common and may occur with higher frequency or be less predictable in the future due to the effects of climate change. Unfavorable growing conditions can reduce both crop size and crop quality. In extreme cases, entire harvests may be lost in some geographic areas. Citrus groves are subject to damage from frost and freezes, and this has happened periodically in the recent past, including most recently the impact from Hurricane Irma. In some cases, the fruit is damaged or ruined; in the case of extended periods of cold, the trees can also be damaged or killed. These factors can increase costs, decrease revenues and lead to additional charges to earnings, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Our citrus groves are subject to damage and loss from disease including but not limited to citrus greening and citrus canker which could negatively impactour business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Our citrus groves are subject to damage and loss from diseases such as citrus greening and citrus canker. Each of these diseases is widespread in Florida and exists in our citrus groves and in the areas where our citrus groves are located. The success of our citrus business is directly related to the viability and health of our citrus groves.

Citrus greening is one of the most serious citrus plant diseases in the world. Once a tree is infected, its productivity generally decreases. While the disease poses no threat to humans or animals, it has devastated citrus crops throughout the United States and abroad. Named for its green, misshapen fruit, citrus greening disease has now killed millions of citrus plants in the southeastern United States and has spread across the entire country. Infected trees produce fruits that are green, misshapen and bitter, unsuitable for sale as fresh fruit or for juice. Infected trees can die within a few years. At the present time, there is no known cure for citrus greening once trees have become infected. Primarily, as a result of citrus greening, orange production in the State of Florida has continued to drop.

Citrus canker is a disease affecting citrus species and is caused by a bacterium which is spread by contact with infected trees or by windblown transmission. There is no known cure for citrus canker at present although some management practices, including the use of copper-based bactericides, can mitigate its spread and lessen its effect on infected trees; however, there is no assurance that currently available technologies will control such disease effectively.

Both of these diseases pose a significant threat to the Florida citrus industry and to our citrus groves. While we try to use best management practices to attempt to control diseases and their spread, there can be no assurance that our mitigation efforts will be successful. These diseases can significantly increase our costs which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Our citrus groves produce the significant majority of our annual operating revenues. A significant reduction in available citrus from our citrus groves could decrease our operating revenues and materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Our citrus groves are geographically concentrated in Florida and the effects of adverse weather conditions including hurricanes and tropical storms could adversely affect our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

Our citrus operations are concentrated in central and south Florida with our groves located in parcels in DeSoto, Polk, Collier, Hendry, Charlotte, Highlands, and Hardee Counties. Because our groves are located in close proximity to each other, the impact of adverse weather conditions may be material to our results of operations, financial position and cash flows. Florida is particularly susceptible to the occurrence of hurricanes and tropical storms. Depending on where any particular hurricane or tropical storm makes landfall, our properties could experience significant, if not catastrophic damage. Hurricanes and tropical storms have the potential to destroy crops and impact citrus production through the loss of fruit and destruction of trees and/or plants either as a result of high winds or through the spread of windblown disease. Such damage could materially affect our citrus operations and could result in a loss of operating revenues from those products for a multi-year period. We seek to minimize hurricane risk by the purchase of insurance contracts, but the majority of our crops remain uninsured. In addition to hurricanes and tropical storms, the occurrence of other natural disasters and climate conditions in Florida, such as tornadoes, floods, freezes, unusually heavy or prolonged rain, droughts and heat waves, could have a material adverse effect on our operations and our ability to realize income from our crops or properties.


A significant portion of our revenues are derived from our citrus business and any adverse event affecting such business could disproportionately harm our business.

Our revenues from our citrus business were approximately 96.6%, 97.4%, and 96.1% of our operating revenues in fiscal years 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Our citrus division is one of the largest citrus producers in the United States and because of the significance of the revenues derived from this business, we are more vulnerable to adverse events or market conditions affecting our citrus business which could have a significant impact on our overall results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Our failure to effectively perform grove management functions or to effectively manage an expanded portfolio of groves could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Recently, we have significantly expanded the number of grove acres that we are managing for third parties.  If we are unable to effectively perform grove management services for both our own groves and the groves owned by third parties at the level and/or the cost that we expect, or if we were to fail to allocate sufficient resources to meet the grove management of our own groves and the groves owned by these third parties, it could adversely affect our performance and reputation.  Our ability to perform the grove management services will be affected by various factors, including, among other things, our ability to maintain sufficient personnel and retain key personnel and the number of acres and groves that we will manage. Increases in the number of acres and groves we are managing have required us to hire a greater number of additional qualified personnel. No assurance can be made that we will continue to be successful in attracting and retaining skilled personnel or in integrating any new personnel into our organization.

Our business is highly competitive and we cannot assure you that we will maintain our current market share.

Many companies compete in our different businesses and offer products that are similar to our products or are direct competitors to our products. We face strong competition from these and other companies engaged in the agricultural product business.

Important factors with respect to our competitors include the following:

Some of our competitors may have greater operating flexibility and, in certain cases, this may permit them

to respond better or more quickly to changes in the industry.

We cannot predict the pricing or promotional actions of our competitors or whether those actions will have a negative effect on us.

Our competitors may have access to substantially greater financial resources, deeper management and agricultural resources, regional, national or global areas that offer agricultural advantages, and enhanced public visibility or reputations.

There can be no assurance that we will continue to compete effectively with our present and future competitors, and our ability to compete could be materially adversely affected by our debt levels and debt service requirements.

We depend on our relationship with Tropicana for a significant portion of our business. Any disruption in this relationship could harm our sales. Additionally, if certain criteria are not met under one of our contracts with Tropicana, we could experience a significant reduction in revenues and cash flows.

The Company's contracts with Tropicana accounted for 86.9%, 88.6%, and 86.6% of the Company's revenues in fiscal years 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The revenue for Tropicana is primarily generated from two contracts. Should there be any change in our current relationship structure, whereby they do not buy our oranges, we would need to find replacement buyers to purchase our remaining crop, which could take time and expense and may result in less favorable terms of sale. The loss of Tropicana as a customer or significant reduction in business with Tropicana may cause a material adverse impact to our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Our agricultural products are subject to supply and demand pricing which is not predictable.

Agricultural operations traditionally provide almost all of our operating revenues with citrus being the largest portion and are subject to supply and demand pricing. Prior to this current fiscal year, according to Nielsen data, consumer demand for orange juice had decreased significantly to its lowest level in almost a decade; however, we have been able to offset the impact of such decline with higher prices based on a lower supply of available oranges. Although the demand for orange juice has increased in this latest year, it is uncertain as to whether such increased demand can be maintained, whether we will see a return to a decline in the future and whether, if there were to be such a decline, the impact could be again offset by higher prices. In particular, although our processed citrus is subject to minimum pricing, we are unable to predict with certainty the final price we will receive for our products. In some instances, the harvest and growth cycle will dictate when such products must be marketed which


may or may not be advantageous in obtaining the best price. Excessive supplies tend to cause severe price competition and lower prices for the commodity affected. Limited supply of certain agricultural commodities due to world and domestic market conditions can cause commodity prices to rise in certain situations.

If we are unable to successfully develop and execute our strategic growth initiatives, or if they do not adequately address the challenges or opportunities we face, our business, financial condition and prospects may be adversely affected.

Our success is dependent, in part, on our ability to identify, develop and execute appropriate strategic growth initiatives that will enable us to achieve sustainable growth in the long term. The implementation of our strategic initiatives is subject to both the risks affecting our business generally and the inherent risks associated with implementing new strategies. These strategic initiatives may not be successful in generating revenues or improving operating profit and, if they are, it may take longer than anticipated. As a result, and depending on evolving conditions and opportunities, we may need to adjust our strategic initiatives and such changes could be substantial, including modifying or terminating one or more of such initiatives. Termination of such initiatives may require us to write down or write off the value of our investments in them. Transition and changes in our strategic initiatives may also create uncertainty in our employees, customers and partners that could adversely affect our business and revenues. In addition, we may incur higher than expected or unanticipated costs in implementing our strategic initiatives, attempting to attract revenue opportunities or changing our strategies. There can be no assurance that the implementation of any strategic growth initiative will be successful, and we may not realize anticipated benefits at levels we project or at all, which would adversely affect our business, financial condition and prospects.

We are subject to the risk of product contamination and product liability claims.

The sale of agricultural products for human consumption involves the risk of injury to consumers. Such injuries may result from tampering by unauthorized third parties, product contamination or spoilage, including the presence of foreign objects, substances, chemicals, other agents, or residues introduced during the growing, storage, handling or transportation phases. While we are subject to governmental inspection and regulations and believe our facilities comply in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, we cannot be sure that our agricultural products will not cause a health-related illness in the future or that we will not be subject to claims or lawsuits relating to such matters. Even if a product liability claim is unsuccessful or is not fully pursued, the negative publicity surrounding any assertion that our products caused illness or injury could adversely affect our reputation with existing and potential customers and our corporate and brand image. Moreover, claims or liabilities of this sort might not be covered or fully covered by our insurance or by any rights of indemnity or contribution that we may have against others. We maintain product liability insurance; however, we cannot be sure that we will not incur claims or liabilities for which we are not insured or that exceed the amount of our insurance coverage.

Our agricultural operations are subject to water use regulations restricting our access to water.

Our operations are dependent upon the availability of adequate surface and underground water. The availability of water is regulated by the state of Florida through water management districts which have jurisdiction over various geographic regions in which our lands are located. Currently, we have permits in place for the next 15 to 20 years for the use of underground and surface water which are believed to be adequate for our agricultural needs.

Surface water in Hendry County, where much of our agricultural land is located, comes from Lake Okeechobee via the Caloosahatchee River and a system of canals used to irrigate such land. The Army Corps of Engineers controls the level of Lake Okeechobee and ultimately determines the availability of surface water even though the use of water has been permitted by the state of Florida through the water management district. The Army Corps of Engineers decided in 2010 to lower the permissible level of Lake Okeechobee in response to concerns about the ability of the levee surrounding the lake to restrain rising waters which could result from hurricanes. Changes in availability of surface water use may result during times of drought, because of lower lake levels and could materially adversely affect our agricultural operations, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Changes in immigration laws could impact our ability to harvest our crops.

We engage third parties to provide personnel for our harvesting operations. The availability and number of such workers is subject to decrease if there are changes in the U.S. immigration laws. Immigration reform and enforcement has been attracting significant attention from the U.S. Government (particularly in the current U.S. administration and U.S. Congress), with enforcement operations taking place across the country, resulting in arrests and detentions of unauthorized workers. It remains unclear how the next U.S. administration will approach immigration reform and enforcement. However, if new immigration legislation is enacted in the U.S. and/or if enforcement actions are taken against available personnel, such legislation and/or enforcement activities may contain provisions that could significantly reduce the number and availability of workers. Termination of a significant number of personnel who might be found to be unauthorized workers or the scarcity of other available personnel to harvest our agricultural products could cause harvesting costs to increase or could lead to the loss of product that is not timely harvested which could have a material adverse effect to our citrus grove business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.


Our acquisition of additional agricultural assets and other businesses could pose risks.

We seek to opportunistically acquire new agricultural assets from time to time that we believe would complement our business. For example, (i) in fiscal year 2015, we acquired three Florida citrus properties, including Orange-Co and Silver Nip Citrus, which resulted in our citrus division being one of the largest citrus producers in the United States, and (ii) in October 2020 we acquired another Florida citrus property. While we expect that our past and future acquisitions will successfully complement our business, we may fail to realize all of the anticipated benefits of these acquisitions, which could reduce our anticipated results. We cannot assure that we will be able to successfully identify suitable acquisition opportunities, negotiate appropriate acquisition terms, or obtain any financing that may be needed to consummate such acquisitions or complete proposed acquisitions. Acquisitions by us could result in accounting changes, potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities, increased debt and contingent liabilities, reduce the amount of cash available for dividends, debt service payments, integration issues and diversion of management’s attention, any of which could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows. We may be unable to successfully realize the financial, operational, and other benefits we anticipate from our acquisitions and our failure to do so could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Dispositions of our assetsmay adversely affect our future results of operations.

We also routinely evaluate the benefits of disposing of certain of our assets which could include the exit from lines of business. For example, in November of 2014, we sold significant sugarcane assets and we are no longer involved in the sugarcane business and, in January of 2018, we sold our breeding herd and no longer engage in cattle operations. Most recently, we sold certain ranch acres to the State of Florida because these acres would have been critically important for carrying out the Company’s planneddispersed water storage project, the Company is no longer are pursuing permit approval relating to this dispersed water storage project. While such dispositions increase the amount of cash available to us, it could also result in a potential loss of significant operating revenues and income streams that we might not be able to replace, makes our business less diversified and could ultimately have a negative impact on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

If a transaction intended to qualify as a Section 1031 Exchange is later determined to be taxable, we may face adverse consequences, and if the laws applicable to such transactions are amended or repealed, we may not be able to dispose of properties in the future on a tax deferred basis.

From time to time we dispose of properties in transactions that are intended to qualify as Section 1031 Exchanges under the federal income tax law. It is possible that the qualification of a transaction as a Section 1031 Exchange could be successfully challenged and determined to be currently taxable and we could also be required to pay interest and penalties. As a result, we may be required to borrow funds in order to pay additional income taxes, and the payment of such taxes could cause us to have less cash available. Moreover, it is possible that legislation could be enacted that could modify or repeal the laws with respect to Section 1031 Exchanges, which could make it more difficult or not possible for us to dispose of properties in the future on a tax deferred basis.

We may undertake one or more significant corporate transactions that may not achieve their intended results, may adversely affect our financial condition and our results of operations or result in unforeseeable risks to our business.

We continuously evaluate the acquisition or disposition of operating businesses and assets and may in the future undertake one or more significant transactions. Any such acquisitive transaction could be material to our business and could take any number of forms, including mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and the purchase of equity interests. The consideration for such acquisitive transactions may include, among other things, cash, common stock compliedor equity interests in the Company or our subsidiaries, or a contribution of property or equipment to obtain equity interests, and in conjunction with a transaction we might incur additional indebtedness. We also routinely evaluate the benefits of disposing of certain assets. Such dispositions could take the form of asset sales, mergers or sales of equity interests.

These transactions may present significant risks such as insufficient assets to offset liabilities assumed, potential loss of significant operating revenues and income streams, increased or unexpected expenses, inadequate return of capital, regulatory or compliance issues, the triggering of certain financial covenants in our debt instruments (including accelerated repayment) and unidentified issues not discovered in due diligence. In addition, such transactions could distract management from current operations. As a result of the risks inherent in such transactions, we cannot guarantee that any such transaction will ultimately result in the realization of its anticipated benefits or that it will not have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. If we were to complete such an acquisition, disposition, investment or other strategic transaction, we may require additional debt or equity financing that could result in a significant increase in our amount of debt and our debt service obligations or the number of outstanding shares of our common stock, thereby diluting holders of our common stock outstanding prior to such acquisition.

Our citrus business is seasonal.

Our citrus groves produce the majority of our annual operating revenues and the citrus business is seasonal because it is tied to the growing and picking seasons. Historically, the second and third quarters of our fiscal year generally produce the majority of our annual revenues, and our working capital requirements are typically greater in the first and fourth quarters of our fiscal year coinciding with our planting cycles. Because of the seasonality of our business, results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for the full fiscal year or in


future quarters. If our operating revenues in the second and third quarters are lower than expected, it would have a disproportionately large adverse impact on our annual operating results.

We face significant competition in our agricultural operations.

We face significant competition in our agricultural operations both from domestic and foreign producers and do not have any branded products. Foreign growers generally have an equal or lower cost of production, less environmental regulation and in some instances, greater resources and market flexibility than us. Because foreign growers have greater flexibility as to when they enter the U.S. market, we cannot always predict the impact these competitors will have on our business and results of operations. The competition we face from certain foreign suppliers of orange juice is mitigated by a governmentally imposed tariff on orange imports. Accordingly, a reduction in the government’s orange juice tariff could adversely impact our results of operations.

Our earnings are sensitive to fluctuations in market supply and prices and demand for our products.

Excess supplies often cause severe price competition in our industry. Growing conditions in various parts of the world, particularly weather conditions such as windstorms, floods, droughts and freezes, as well as diseases and pests, are primary factors affecting market prices because of their influence on the supply and quality of product.

Fresh produce is highly perishable and generally must be brought to market and sold soon after harvest. Many of the items involved in our business, such as oranges, must be sold more quickly than other produce our competitors may produce, such as lemons. As such, our competitors may be able to maintain certain items they produce in inventory for longer periods than we are able to maintain our inventory which may offer our competitors strategic advantages when they respond to fluctuations in market supply and demand that are not available to us.

In addition, general public perceptions regarding the quality, safety or health risks associated with particular food products could reduce demand and prices for some of our products. To the extent that consumer preferences evolve away from products that we produce for health or other reasons, and we are unable to modify our products or to develop products that satisfy new consumer preferences, there will be a decreased demand for our products. If excess supplies do exist, this could result in reduced pricing or unusable inventory which could adversely impact our results of operations.

Climate change, or legal, regulatory, or market measures to address climate change, may negatively affect our business and operations.

There is growing concern that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere may have an adverse impact on global temperatures, weather patterns, and the frequency and severity of extreme weather and natural disasters. In the event that such climate change has a negative effect on the productivity of our citrus groves, it could have an adverse impact on our business and results of operations. The increasing concern over climate change also may result in more regional, federal, and/or global legal and regulatory requirements to reduce or mitigate the effects of greenhouse gases. In the event that such regulation is enacted, we may experience significant increases in our costs of operations. In particular, increasing regulation of fuel emissions could substantially increase the distribution and supply chain costs associated with our products. As a result, climate change could negatively affect our business and operations.

Increases in labor, personnel and benefits costs could adversely affect our operating results.

We primarily utilize labor contractors to harvest and deliver our fruit to outside packing facilities. Our employees and contractors are in demand by other agribusinesses and other industries. Shortages of labor, particularly as a result of the recent low unemployment rate in the United States and in Florida in particular, could delay our harvesting or orange processing activities or could result in increases in labor costs.

We and our labor contractors are subject to government mandated wage and benefit laws and regulations. In addition, current or future federal or state healthcare legislation and regulation, including the Affordable Care Act, may increase our medical costs or the medical costs of our labor contractors that could be passed on to us.

Increases in commodity or raw product costs, such as fuel and chemical costs, could adversely affect our operating results.

Many factors may affect the cost and supply of citrus, including external conditions, commodity market fluctuations, changes in governmental laws and regulations, tariffs, agricultural programs, severe and prolonged weather conditions and natural disasters. Increased costs for products can negatively impact our operating results and there can be no assurance that they will not adversely affect our operating results in the future.

We are subject to transportation risks.

We depend on third party providers of transportation and have no control over such third parties. An extended interruption in our ability to harvest and haul our products could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Similarly, any extended disruption in the distribution of our products could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.


While we believe we are adequately insured and would attempt to transport our products by alternative means if we were to experience an interruption due to strike, natural disasters or otherwise, we cannot be sure that we would be able to do so or be successful in doing so in a timely mannerand cost-effective manner.

We benefit from reduced real estate taxes due to the agricultural classification of a majority of our land.  Changes in the classification or valuation methods employed by county property appraisers could cause significant changes in our real estate property tax liabilities.

In the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018 we paid approximately $2,714,000, $2,755,000, and $3,089,000 in real estate taxes, respectively. These taxes were based upon the agricultural use (“Green Belt”) values determined by the county property appraisers in which counties we own land, of approximately $87,976,000, $91,312,000, and $104,017,000 for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, which differs significantly from the fair values determined by the county property appraisers of approximately $463,799,000, $514,330,000, and $537,183,000, respectively. Changes in state law or county policy regarding the granting of agricultural classification or calculation of "Green Belt" values or average millage rates could significantly impact our results of operations, cash flows and/or financial position.

Liability for the use of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and other potentially hazardous substances could increase our costs.

Our agricultural business involves the use of herbicides, fertilizers and pesticides, some of which may be considered hazardous or toxic substances. We may be deemed liable and have to pay for the costs or damages associated with the improper application, accidental release or the use or misuse of such substances. Our insurance may not be adequate to cover such costs or damages, or may not continue to be available at a price or under terms that are satisfactory to us. In such cases, if we are required to pay significant costs or damages, it could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Compliance with applicable environmental laws may substantially increase our costs of doing business which could reduce our profits.

We are subject to various laws and regulations relating to the operation of our properties, which are administered by numerous federal, state and local governmental agencies. We face a potential for environmental liability by virtue of our ownership of real estate property. If hazardous substances (including herbicides and pesticides used by us or by any persons leasing our lands) are discovered emanating from any of our lands and the release of such substances presents a threat of harm to the public health or the environment, we may be held strictly liable for the cost of remediation of these hazardous substances. In addition, environmental laws that apply to a given site can vary greatly according to the site’s location, its present and former uses, and other factors such as the presence of wetlands or endangered species on the site. Management monitors environmental legislation and requirements and makes every effort to remain in compliance with such regulations. Furthermore, we require lessees of our properties to comply with environmental regulations as a condition of leasing. We also purchase insurance for environmental liability when it is available; however, these insurance contracts may not be adequate to cover such costs or damages or may not continue to be available at prices and terms that would be satisfactory. It is possible that in some cases the cost of compliance with these environmental laws could exceed the value of a particular tract of land, make it unsuitable for use in what would otherwise be its highest and best use, and/or be significant enough that it would materially adversely affect us.

Our business may be adversely affected if we lose key employees.

We depend to a large extent on the services of certain key management personnel. These individuals have extensive experience and expertise in the business lines and segments in which they work. The loss of any of these individuals could have a material adverse effect on our businesses. We do not maintain key-man life insurance with respect to any of our employees. Our success will be dependent on our ability to continue to attract, employ and retain skilled personnel in our business lines and segments.

Inflation can have a significant adverse effect on our operations.

Inflation can have a major impact on our citrus operations. The citrus operations are most affected by escalating costs and unpredictable revenues and very high irrigation water costs. High fixed water costs related to our citrus lands will continue to adversely affect earnings. Prices received for many of our products are dependent upon prevailing market conditions and commodity prices. Therefore, it is difficult for us to accurately predict revenue, just as we cannot pass on cost increases caused by general inflation, except to the extent reflected in market conditions and commodity prices.

We incur increased costs as a result of being a publicly traded company.

As a company with publicly traded securities, we have incurred, and will continue to incur, significant legal, accounting and other expenses. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, as well as rules promulgated by the SEC and Nasdaq, requires us to adopt corporate governance practices applicable to U.S. public companies. These laws, rules and regulations may increase our legal and financial compliance costs, which could adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.


System security risks, data protection breaches, cyber-attacks and systems integration issues could disrupt our internal operations or services provided to customers, and any such disruption could reduce our expected revenues, increase our expenses, damage our reputation and adversely affect our stock price.

Computer programmers and hackers may be able to penetrate our network security and misappropriate or compromise our confidential information or that of third parties, create system disruptions or cause shutdowns. Computer programmers and hackers also may be able to develop and deploy viruses, worms, and other malicious software programs that attack our systems and databases or otherwise exploit any security vulnerabilities of our systems and databases. In addition, sophisticated hardware and operating system software and applications that we develop internally or procure from third parties may contain defects in design or manufacture, including “bugs” and other problems that could unexpectedly interfere with the operation of the system. The costs to us to eliminate or alleviate cyber or other security problems, bugs, viruses, worms, malicious software programs and security vulnerabilities could be significant, and our efforts to address these problems may not be successful and could result in interruptions, delays, cessation of service and loss of existing or potential customers that may impede our sales, distribution or other critical functions.

Portions of our information technology infrastructure also may experience interruptions, delays or cessations of service or produce errors in connection with systems integration or migration work that takes place from time to time. We may not be successful in implementing new systems and transitioning data, which could cause business disruptions and be more expensive, time consuming, disruptive and resource-intensive. Such disruptions could adversely impact our ability to track sales and could interrupt other operational or financial processes, which in turn could adversely affect our financial results, stock price and reputation.

Risks Related to Our Indebtedness

We maintain a significant amount of indebtedness which could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows and may limit our operational and financing flexibility and negatively impact our business.

As of September 30, 2020, we had approximately $151,000,000 in principal amount of indebtedness outstanding under our secured credit facilities and line of credit and an additional availability of approximately $91,659,000 is available under our revolving lines of credit. Our loan agreements, as well as other debt instruments we may enter into in the future, may have negative consequences to us and could limit our business because we will use a substantial portion of our cash flows from operations to pay debt service costs which will reduce the funds available to us for corporate and general expenses and it may make us more vulnerable to economic downturns and adverse developments in our business. Our loan agreements require us to comply with various restrictive covenants and some contain financial covenants that require us to comply with specified financial ratios and tests. Our failure to meet these covenants could result in default under these loan agreements and would result in a cross-default under other loan agreements. In the event of a default and our inability to obtain a waiver of the default, all amounts outstanding under loan agreements could be declared immediately due and payable. Our loan agreements also contain various covenants that limit our ability to engage in specified types of transactions. We expect that we will depend primarily upon our citrus operations to provide funds to pay our corporate and general expenses and to pay any amounts that may become due under any credit facilities and any other indebtedness we may incur. In addition, there are factors beyond our control that could negatively affect our citrus business revenue stream. Our ability to make these payments depends on our future performance, which will be affected by various financial, business, macroeconomic and other factors, many of which we cannot control.

We may be unable to generate sufficient cash flow to service our debt obligations.

To service our debt, we require a significant amount of cash. Our ability to generate cash, make scheduled payments or refinance our obligations depends on our successful financial and operating performance. Our financial and operating performance, cash flow and capital resources depend upon prevailing economic conditions and various financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include among others:

economic and competitive conditions

changes in laws and regulations

operating difficulties, increased operating costs or pricing pressures we may experience; and

delays in implementing any strategic projects

If our cash flow and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell material assets or operations, obtain additional capital or restructure our debt. If we are required to take any actions referred to above, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, we cannot assure investors that we would be able to take any of these actions on terms acceptable to us, or at all, or that these actions would enable us to continue to satisfy our capital requirements or that these actions would be permitted under the terms of our various debt agreements.


Some of our debt is based on variable rates of interest, which could result in higher interest expenses in the event of an increase in the interest rates.

Our credit facility and certain of our term loans that we have currently bear interest at variable rates, which will generally change as interest rates change. We bear the risk that the rates we are charged by our lenders will increase faster than the earnings and cash flow of our business, which could reduce profitability, adversely affect our ability to service our debt, cause us to breach covenants contained in our credit facility and term loans, any of which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Risks Related to our Common Stock

Our common stock has low trading volumeand the distribution of all of the shares of our common stock owned by 734 Investors to its members has the effect of increasing the Company’s public float and such filingincrease may have a material adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.

Although our common stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, it is thinly traded and our average daily trading volume is low compared to the number of shares of common stock we have outstanding. The low trading volume of our common stock can cause our stock price to fluctuate significantly as well as make it difficult for a shareholder to sell their common shares quickly. As a result of our stock being thinly traded and/or our low stock price, institutional investors might not be interested in owning our common stock, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our ability to obtain future funding, if needed, as well as create a potential market overhang.

On November 12, 2019, 734 Investors effected a distribution of all of the shares of our common stock owned by 734 Investors to its members. The distribution of Alico shares of common stock by 734 Investors to its members has the effect of increasing the Company’s public float and such increase, although it may increase the trading volume and thus reduce some of the trading volume risk described above, may at the same time over the short term have a material adverse effect on the market price of the common stock if too many members of 734 Investors seek to liquidate their shares over a short period.

We may not be able to continue to pay or maintain our cash dividends on our common stock and the failure to do so may negatively affect our share price.

We have historically paid regular quarterly dividends to the holders of our common stock. Our ability to pay cash dividends depends on, among other things, our cash flows from operations, our cash requirements, exceptour financial condition, the degree to which we are/or become leveraged, contractual restrictions binding on us, provisions of applicable law and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant. There can be no assurance that we will generate sufficient cash from continuing operations in the future, or have sufficient cash surplus or net profits to pay dividends on our common stock. Our dividend policy is based upon our directors’ current assessment of our business and the environment in which we operate and that assessment could change based on business developments (which could, for example, increase our need for capital expenditures) or new growth opportunities. Our Board of Directors may, in its discretion, decrease the level of cash dividends or entirely discontinue the payment of cash dividends. The reduction or elimination of cash dividends may negatively affect the market price of our common stock.

There can be no assurance that we will resume the repurchase of shares of our common stock.

In fiscal year 2017, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $7,000,000 of the Company’s common stock in two separate authorizations. In March 2017, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $5,000,000 of the Company’s common stock beginning March 9, 2017 and continued through March 9, 2019. In May 2017, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $2,000,000 of the Company’s common stock beginning May 24, 2017 and continued through May 24, 2019. There can be no assurance that we will repurchase shares in the future in any particular amounts or at all. A reduction in, or elimination of, share repurchases could have a negative effect on our share price.

If we were to conduct another tender offer or engage in an additional share repurchase program, holders of our securities would be subject to certain risks associated with a decrease in the outstanding number of shares of our common stock.

In September 2018 the Company announced the commencement of the Tender Offer. During the Tender Offer the Company repurchased an aggregate of 752,234 shares at a price of $34.00 per share aggregating $25,575,956. These shares represented approximately 9.2% of the total number of shares of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding as of October 2, 2018. While we have no plans to conduct another tender offer at this time, we may conduct another tender offer or engage in the repurchase of our shares in the future. Shareholders could be adversely affected by a reduction in our “public float,” that is, the number of shares owned by outside shareholders and available for trading in the securities markets, if the Company makes future tender offers or private or open market repurchases of its shares. Although the Company is not currently pursuing a tender offer or repurchase program, there are no assurances that our Board of Directors will not authorize the Company to do so in the future. Engaging in a tender offer or repurchase program in the future could have a negative effect on our share price.


Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. Properties

As of September 30, 2020, Alico owned 99,760 acres of land located in eight counties in Florida. Acreage in each county and the primary classification with respect to the present use of these properties is shown in the following instances:table:

 

 

Total

 

 

Hendry

 

 

Polk

 

 

Collier

 

 

DeSoto

 

 

Glades

 

 

Charlotte

 

 

Hardee

 

 

Highlands

 

Alico Citrus:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Citrus Groves

 

 

45,485

 

 

 

5,485

 

 

 

7,107

 

 

 

7,166

 

 

 

21,386

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,543

 

 

 

574

 

 

 

1,224

 

Citrus Nursery

 

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Citrus Groves

 

 

45,507

 

 

 

5,485

 

 

 

7,107

 

 

 

7,166

 

 

 

21,408

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,543

 

 

 

574

 

 

 

1,224

 

Land Management and Other Operations

 

 

52,807

 

 

 

48,785

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mining

 

 

526

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

526

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

920

 

 

 

920

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

99,760

 

 

 

55,190

 

 

 

7,107

 

 

 

11,188

 

 

 

21,408

 

 

 

526

 

 

 

2,543

 

 

 

574

 

 

 

1,224

 

Approximately 51,300 acres of the properties listed are encumbered by credit agreements totaling approximately $151,000,000 as of September 30, 2020. For a failuremore detailed description of the credit agreements and collateral please see Note 6. “Long-Term Debt and Lines of Credit” to timely reportthe Company’s fiscal year 2020 consolidated financial statements.

The Company currently collects mining royalties on Form 4approximately 526 acres of the land included in the table above and located in Glades County, Florida. These royalties do not represent a significant portion of operating revenues or gross profits.

Florida Litigation

On November 27, 2017 restricted stock grant to16, 2018, 734 Agriculture, RCF 2014 Legacy LLC, Delta Offshore Master II, LTD. and Mr. Kiernan.



CommitteesRemy W. Trafelet (the “Trafelet Parties”), who was at the time the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors,

filed a lawsuit against Messrs. George R. Brokaw, Henry R. Slack, W. Andrew Krusen and Greg Eisner, members of the Board of Directors, in the Circuit Court (the “Circuit Court”) for Hillsborough County, Florida (the “Florida Litigation”). The Trafelet Parties sought, among other things, a declaration that (1) a purported stockholder action by written consent, delivered to the Company currently hasin the following standing committees:name of 734 Investors and the plaintiffs in the Florida Litigation on November 11, 2018 (the “Purported Consent”) was valid and binding, (2) the resolutions passed at a meeting of the Board of Directors on November 12, 2018, to, among other things, constitute an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Governance Committee. The descriptions set forth below provide detailed information about the activitiesad hoc committee of these Committees during the 2018 fiscal year, as well as the current composition of each Committee.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is empowered to act for the Board of Directors to the fullest extent permitted by law, for the purpose of directing the operational managementconsider, evaluate and polices of the Company, including the adoption of productivity measures,make any and all determinations, and to take other measures between regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee’s Charter is available on the Company’s website at http://www.alicoinc.com, in the Corporate Governance section of the Investors webpage,any and is available in printed form upon request from the Corporate Secretary, 10070 Daniels Interstate Court Suite 100, Fort Myers, FL 33913. The Executive Committee is currently composed of the following Directors: Remy W. Trafelet (Chairman), George R. Brokaw, Benjamin D. Fishman and Henry R. Slack. The Executive Committee did not meet in fiscal year 2018.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee actsall actions, on behalf of the Board of Directors, in fulfillingconnection with the Purported Consent were null and void and (3) the four defendants in the Florida Litigation were properly removed from the Board of Directors’ oversight responsibilities with respectDirectors by the Purported Consent. On November 27, 2018, the Circuit Court denied without prejudice plaintiffs’ motion for a temporary restraining order and an affirmative injunction restoring Mr. Trafelet from administrative leave to active status in his capacity as President and CEO of the Company.

On November 28, 2018, the parties in the Florida Litigation stipulated to an order which provided that (1) the record date for the Purported Consent was stayed indefinitely, and (2) Mr. Trafelet and the Company’s Board of Directors should not take any action out of routine day-to-day operations conducted in the ordinary course of business, including any action to change the corporate governance of Alico or removing any corporate officers or directors from positions held as of November 27, 2018.

On December 6, 2018, the Trafelet Parties filed an amended complaint in the Florida Litigation which added the Company and Benjamin D. Fishman, a member of the Board of Directors, as defendants. On December 21, 2018, the Trafelet Parties filed a renewed motion for a preliminary injunction restoring Mr. Trafelet from administrative leave to active status in his capacity as President and CEO of the Company. On January 14, 2019, the defendants in the Florida Litigation filed an opposition to plaintiffs’ renewed motion for a preliminary injunction. On January 18, 2019, the defendants in the Florida Litigation filed a motion to dismiss the plaintiffs’ amended complaint.

On February 11, 2019, the parties to the following:


reviewingFlorida Litigation entered into a settlement agreement (the “Alico Settlement Agreement”) wherein the accountingparties agreed to promptly dismiss all claims in the Florida Litigation. Pursuant to the Alico Settlement Agreement, Mr. Trafelet agreed to voluntarily resign as President and financial reporting processesChief Executive Officer and the annual independent auditas a member of the financial statements;
maintainingBoard of Directors, effective upon the integrityexecution of the Alico Settlement Agreement.


As contemplated by the Alico Settlement Agreement, on February 11, 2019, the Company entered into a consulting agreement (the “Consulting Agreement”) with Mr. Trafelet and 3584 Inc., an entity controlled by Mr. Trafelet (the “Consultant”). Pursuant to the Consulting Agreement, Mr. Trafelet agreed to make himself available to provide consulting services to the Company through the Consultant for up to 24 months. In exchange for the consulting services, the Consultant is receiving an annual consulting fee of $400,000. If the Company terminates the consulting period (other than in certain specified circumstances), the Company will continue to pay the consulting fees described in the immediately preceding sentence through the balance of the 24-month term. As such, the Company recorded the $800,000 as expense in the quarter ended March 31, 2019.

In addition, on February 11, 2019, as contemplated by the Alico Settlement Agreement, the Company entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with Mr. Trafelet, relating to the shares of the Company’s common stock directly held by the Trafelet Parties as of February 11, 2019 (the “Registrable Securities”). The Registration Rights Agreement required the Company to, among other things and subject to the terms and conditions thereof, use reasonable best efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 covering the resale of the Registrable Securities. On October 10, 2019, Mr. Trafelet executed a waiver whereby he waived the S-3 Registration Rights but maintained all other rights arising under the Registration Rights Agreement and all rights arising under Section 14 of the Alico Settlement Agreement.

From time to time, Alico may be involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of its operations in the normal course of business. There are no other current legal proceedings to which the Company is a party or of which any of its property is subject that it believes will have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable.


PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Common Stock

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol ALCO.

Holders

On December 4, 2020, our stock transfer records indicated there were 216 holders of record of our common stock. A greater number of holders of our common stock are “street name” or beneficial holders, whose shares are held by banks, brokers and other financial institutions.

Dividend Policy

The declaration and amount of any actual cash dividend are in the sole discretion of our Board of Directors and are subject to numerous factors that ordinarily affect dividend policy, including the results of our operations and financial position, as well as general economic and business conditions.

The following table presents cash dividends per share of our common stock declared in fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018:

Declaration Date

 

Record Date

 

Payment Date

 

Per Common Share

 

November 6, 2017

 

December 29, 2017

 

January 16, 2018

 

$

0.06

 

March 14, 2018

 

March 30, 2018

 

April 13, 2018

 

$

0.06

 

June 11, 2018

 

June 29, 2018

 

July 13, 2018

 

$

0.06

 

September 4, 2018

 

September 28, 2018

 

October 12, 2018

 

$

0.06

 

December 14, 2018

 

December 28, 2018

 

January 11, 2019

 

$

0.06

 

March 15, 2019

 

March 29, 2019

 

April 12, 2019

 

$

0.06

 

June 14, 2019

 

June 28, 2019

 

July 12, 2019

 

$

0.06

 

September 13, 2019

 

September 27, 2019

 

October 11, 2019

 

$

0.06

 

December 5, 2019

 

December 27, 2019

 

January 10, 2020

 

$

0.09

 

March 13, 2020

 

March 27, 2020

 

April 10, 2020

 

$

0.09

 

June 11, 2020

 

June 26, 2020

 

July 10, 2020

 

$

0.09

 

September 11, 2020

 

September 25, 2020

 

October 9, 2020

 

$

0.09

 


Stock Performance Graph

The graph below represents our common stock performance, comparing the value of $100 invested on September 30, 2015 in our common stock, the S&P 500 Index, the S&P Agricultural Products Index and a Company-constructed peer group, which includes Forestar Group, Inc., Limoneira Company, The St. Joe Company, Tejon Ranch Co. and Texas Pacific Land Trust.

 

 

 

 

 

 

INDEXED RETURNS

 

 

 

Base

Period

 

 

Years Ending

 

Company Name / Index

 

Sept 15

 

 

Sept 16

 

 

Sept 17

 

Sept 18

 

Sept 19

 

 

Sept 20

 

Alico, Inc.

 

 

100

 

 

66.71

 

 

85.51

 

85.29

 

86.54

 

 

73.67

 

S&P 500 Index

 

 

100

 

 

115.43

 

 

136.91

 

161.43

 

 

168.30

 

 

 

193.80

 

S&P Agricultural Products Index

 

 

100

 

 

 

115.30

 

 

118.08

 

133.04

 

112.52

 

 

133.78

 

Peer Group

 

 

100

 

 

121.43

 

 

163.75

 

267.21

 

 

212.60

 

 

173.86

 

(Includes reinvestment of dividends)


Recent Sale of Unregistered Securities

None.

Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities

We adopted Rule 10b5-1 share repurchase plan under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Plan”) in connection with share repurchase authorizations. The Plan allows us to repurchase our shares of common stock at times when it otherwise might be prevented from doing so under insider trading laws or because of self-imposed trading blackout periods. Because repurchases under the Plan are subject to certain pricing parameters, there is no guarantee as to the exact number of common shares that will be repurchased under the Plan or that there will be any repurchases pursuant to the Plan.

 

 

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Period

 

Total number of shares (or units) purchased (1)

Average price paid per share (or unit)

Total number of shares (or units) purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs

Maximum number (or approximate dollar value) of shares (or units) that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs

10/01/2019 - 10/31/2019

 

 

7,000

 

 

$

33.95

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

7,000

 

 

$

33.95

 

 

 

 

(1)

On October 10, 2019, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 7,000 shares of the Company's common stock from 734 Investors in a privately negotiated repurchase of shares. The Company entered into a repurchase agreement with 734 Investors to repurchase 7,000 shares of the Company's common stock on October 15, 2019.


Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The following tables present selected historical consolidated financial information as of and for each of the fiscal years in the five-year period ended September 30, 2020. The Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

The selected historical financial data presented below should be reviewed in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying Notes thereto, included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Selected Statements of Operations Information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues

 

$

92,507

 

 

$

122,251

 

 

$

81,281

 

 

$

129,829

 

 

$

144,196

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

$

6,921

 

 

$

45,214

 

 

$

10,535

 

 

$

(6,094

)

 

$

21,846

 

Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders

 

$

23,662

 

 

$

37,833

 

 

$

13,050

 

 

$

(9,451

)

 

$

6,993

 

Basic earnings (loss) per common share

 

$

3.16

 

 

$

5.06

 

 

$

1.59

 

 

$

(1.14

)

 

$

0.84

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share

 

$

3.16

 

 

$

5.05

 

 

$

1.57

 

 

$

(1.14

)

 

$

0.84

 

Cash dividends declared per common share

 

$

0.36

 

 

$

0.24

 

 

$

0.24

 

 

$

0.24

 

 

$

0.24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selected Balance Sheet Information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

$

19,687

 

 

$

23,838

 

 

$

32,260

 

 

$

3,395

 

 

$

6,625

 

Property and equipment, net

 

$

350,061

 

 

$

345,648

 

 

$

340,403

 

 

$

349,337

 

 

$

379,247

 

Total assets

 

$

423,937

 

 

$

417,388

 

 

$

423,422

 

 

$

419,182

 

 

$

455,445

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

$

9,145

 

 

$

5,338

 

 

$

5,275

 

 

$

4,550

 

 

$

4,493

 

Long-term debt, net of current portion

 

$

139,106

 

 

$

158,111

 

 

$

169,074

 

 

$

181,926

 

 

$

192,726

 

Total Alico, Inc. stockholders' equity

 

$

216,341

 

 

$

194,303

 

 

$

172,117

 

 

$

160,641

 

 

$

173,490

 

Noncontrolling interest

 

$

5,441

 

 

$

5,095

 

 

$

5,478

 

 

$

4,728

 

 

$

4,773

 

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, net income includes the gain on sale of assets of approximately $618,000 related to the sale of real estate and approximately $9,893,000 of interest expense.

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, net loss includes inventory casualty loss and net realizable adjustment of approximately $14,688,000 as a result of Hurricane Irma, additional asset impairments of long-lived assets of approximately $9,346,000, and interest expense of approximately $9,141,000. The net loss was partially offset by a gain on sale of assets of approximately $2,181,000.

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, net income includes the gain on sale of assets of approximately $11,041,000 related to the sale of real estate, property and equipment and assets held for sale, and insurance proceeds received in the amount of approximately $9,429,000 relating to damages from Hurricane Irma. Net income also includes a one-time non-cash deferred income tax benefit of approximately $9,847,000, which resulted from the remeasurement of the Company's net deferred tax liabilities due to the 21% corporate tax rate that was enacted December 22, 2017, and the expiration of a capital loss carryforward, which expired at September 30, 2018, of approximately $5,634,000, resulting in an additional income tax expense. Additionally, net income includes approximately $8,561,000 of interest expense and $3,349,000 of impairments relating to net realizable adjustment on inventory and long-lived assets.

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, net income includes a gain on sale of assets of approximately $13,166,000 related to the sale of real estate, property and equipment and assets held for sale. Net income also includes insurance proceeds received of approximately $486,000 in additional property and casualty claims reimbursement relating to Hurricane Irma and federal relief proceeds of approximately $15,597,000 under the Florida Citrus Recovery Block Grant (“CRBG”) program relating to Hurricane Irma. Additionally, net income includes approximately $7,180,000 of interest expense and $1,204,000 relating to net realizable adjustment on inventory and impairments of long-lived assets.

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, net income includes a gain on sale of assets of approximately $30,424,000 related to the sale of real estate, property and equipment and assets held for sale. Net income also includes federal relief proceeds of approximately $4,629,000 under the Florida CRBG program relating to Hurricane Irma. Additionally, net income includes approximately $5,981,000 of interest expense and $1,321,000 relating to impairments of long-lived assets.


Item 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes thereto.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

We provide forward-looking information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, particularly in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Any statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that express our intentions, beliefs, expectations, strategies, predictions or any other statements relating to our future activities or other future events or conditions. These statements are based on our current expectations, estimates and disclosures;projections about our business based, in part, on assumptions made by our managementand can be identified by terms such as “plans,” “expect,” “may,” "anticipate,” “intend,” “should be,” “will be” “is likely to,” “believes,” and similar expressions referring to future periods. Alico believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable but cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, Alico cautions you against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. Factors which may cause future outcomes to differ materially from those foreseen in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: changes in laws, regulation and rules; weather conditions that affect production, transportation, storage, demand, import and export of fresh product and their by-products; increased pressure from diseases including citrus greening and citrus canker, as well as insects and other pests; disruption of water supplies or changes in water allocations; market pricing of citrus; pricing and supply of raw materials and products; market responses to industry volume pressures; pricing and supply of energy; changes in interest rates; availability of financing for land development activities and other growth and corporate opportunities; onetime events; acquisitions and divestitures; seasonality; labor disruptions; inability to pay debt obligations; inability to engage in certain transactions due to restrictive covenants in debt instruments; government restrictions on land use; changes in agricultural land values; impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and coronavirus pandemic on our agriculture operations, including without limitation demand for product, supply chain, health and availability of our labor force, the labor force of contractors we engage, and the labor force of our competitors; other risks related to the duration and severity of the COVID-19 outbreak and coronavirus pandemic and its impact on Alico’s business; the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and coronavirus pandemic on the U.S. and global economies and financial markets; access to governmental loans and incentives; any reduction in the public float resulting from repurchases of common stock by Alico; changes in equity awards to employees; whether the Company's dividend policy, including its recent increased dividend amounts, is continued; expressed desire of certain of our shareholders to liquidate their shareholdings by virtue of past market sales of common stock, by sales of common stock or by way of future transactions; political changes and economic crises; competitive actions by other companies; increased competition from international companies; changes in environmental regulations and their impact on farming practices; the land ownership policies of governments; changes in government farm programs and policies and international reaction to such programs; changes in pricing calculations with our customers; fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar, interest rates, inflation and deflation rates; length of terms of contracts with customers; and changes in and effects of crop insurance programs, global trade agreements, trade restrictions and tariffs; and soil conditions, harvest yields, prices for commodities, and crop production expenses. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, including those Risks Factors included in Part I, Item 1A and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


Introduction

Alico, Inc. (“Alico”), together with its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company", "we", "us" or "our”), is a holding company with assets and related operations in agriculture, land management and natural resources. We are a Florida agribusiness and land management company with a legacy of achievement and innovation in citrus, cattle and resource conservation. We own approximately 100,000 acres of land in eight Florida counties, holding mineral rights on approximately 90,000 of those owned acres. Our principal lines of business are now citrus groves and land management and other operations, which include land conservation, encompassing environmental services, land leasing and related support operations. Prior to the sale of certain ranch land to the State of Florida in September 2020, the Company’s business line also included Water Resources. Prior to the sale of our breeding herd in January 2018, the Company’s business line also included cattle ranching. Our mission is to create value for our customers and shareholders by managing existing lands to their optimal current income and total returns. Alico opportunistically acquires new agricultural assets and produces high quality agricultural products while exercising responsible environmental stewardship. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to help provide an understanding of results of operations, financial condition and changes in financial condition for the periods presented. This MD&A is organized as follows:

Business Overview. This section provides a general description of our business, as well as other matters that we believe are important in understanding our results of operations and financial condition.

complying

Consolidated Results of Operations. This section provides an analysis of our results of operations for each of the three fiscal years ended September 30, 2020. Our discussion is presented on a consolidated basis and includes discussion on future trends by segment.

Liquidity and Capital Resources. This section provides an analysis of our cash flows for each of the three fiscal years ended September 30, 2020 and our outstanding debt, commitments and cash resources as of September 30, 2020.

Critical Accounting Policies. This section identifies those accounting policies that we consider important to our results of operations and financial condition, require significant judgment and involve significant management estimates. Our significant accounting policies, including those considered to be critical accounting policies, are summarized in Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.

Business Overview

Business Description

Alico, Inc., together with legalits subsidiaries (collectively, “Alico”, the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”) generates operating revenues primarily from the sale of its citrus products and regulatory requirements;

reviewinggrazing and hunting leasing. The Company operates as two business segments and all of its operating revenues are generated in the retention, qualifications, compensation, independenceUnited States. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, the Company generated operating revenues of approximately $92,507,000, income from operations of approximately $6,921,000, and performancenet income attributable to common stockholders of approximately $23,662,000. Cash provided by operating activities was approximately $1,049,000 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020.

Fiscal Year Highlights and Other Developments

The COVID-19 Pandemic

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the current novel coronavirus outbreak (“COVID-19”) to be a global pandemic. In response to this declaration and the rapid spread of COVID-19 within the United States, federal, state and local governments throughout the country have imposed varying degrees of restrictions on social and commercial activity to promote social distancing in an effort to slow the spread of the illness. These measures have had a significant adverse impact upon many sectors of the economy, including certain agriculture businesses.

During March 2020, as a precautionary measure to ensure financial flexibility and maintain maximum liquidity in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company implemented several measures that we believe would help ensure sufficient liquidity for the next several months, including drawing down an aggregate of $70,000,000 on its revolving credit facilities. This decision was made to safeguard the Company’s liquidity and to increase available cash on hand in the event that a more protracted COVID-19 outbreak were to put a significant strain on the financial institutions and their ability to loan funds. As of September 30, 2020, the Company, believing that despite the protracted COVID-19 outbreak, the financial institutions industry was experiencing less negative impact from the outbreak than originally expected, proceeded to pay down the majority of the amounts drawn under its revolving credit facilities.


Additionally, for the protection of our employees per the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, the Company arranged to have the majority of office personnel work remotely, has taken steps to allow and encourage greater separation for our employed and contracted field workers and has worked with its harvesters, haulers and suppliers to minimize interactions. The Company continues to assess the situation on a routine basis.

To date, the Company has experienced no material adverse impacts from this pandemic.

Citrus Grove Management Agreement

On July 16, 2020, the Company executed an agreement with an affiliated group of third parties to provide citrus grove caretaking and harvest and haul management services for approximately 7,000 acres owned by such third parties. Pursuant to this agreement, the Company is to be reimbursed by the third parties for all of its costs incurred related to providing these services and also is to receive a management fee based on acres covered under this agreement.

Agreements with Tropicana

On each of May 18, 2020 and May 20, 2020, the Company entered into a new agreement to supply Tropicana, its largest customer, with citrus fruit. These new agreements are effective October 1, 2020, conclude on July 31, 2024, and succeed an existing agreement that expired at the end of September 2020.

Federal Relief Program

The Company is eligible for Hurricane Irma federal relief programs for block grants that are being administered through the State of Florida. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company received approximately $4,629,000 and $15,597,000, respectively, under the Florida Citrus Recovery Block Grant (“CRBG”) program. This represents the Part 1 and Part 2 reimbursement under a three-part program. The timing and amount to be received under Part 3 of the program, if any, has not been finalized.

Distribution of Shares by 734 Investors

On November 14, 2019, 734 Investors filed a Form 4 and an amendment to Schedule 13D with the SEC disclosing that on November 12, 2019, it distributed all of its shares of Company common stock previously held by it, consisting of 3,173,405 shares, on a pro rata basis, to its members. Prior to such distribution, 734 Investors was the Company’s largest shareholder.

Employee and Board of Directors Matters

On August 6, 2020, the Board of Directors increased the number of its directors by two and appointed Mr. Adam Putnam and Ms. Kate English as directors, each to serve until the 2021 annual meeting of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm;

ensuring the Company maintains internal audit processes; and
providing an avenue of communication between management and the internal and external auditors.

The Audit Committee’s Charter is available on the Company’s website at http://www.alicoinc.com, in the Corporate Governance section of the Investors webpage, and is available in printed form upon request from the Corporate Secretary, 10070 Daniels Interstate Court Suite 100, Fort Myers, FL 33913.

The Audit Committee is currently composed of three Directors: W. Andrew Krusen, Jr. (Chairman), R. Greg Eisner and Joseph S. Sambuco. All members of the Audit Committee are independent Directorsshareholders or until his or her earlier death, resignation, or removal in accordance with the applicable NASDAQ Global Market ("Nasdaq") listing standards. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Krusen is qualified to serve,Amended and has been designated, as the Audit Committee Financial Expert. The Audit Committee met four times in fiscal year 2018.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee is responsible for the following:

determining and approving the compensationRestated Bylaws of the ChiefCompany.

In December 2019, Mr. George R. Brokaw, the then Executive Officer;

advising on and approving the compensation for other executive officers;
advising on and approving the compensation philosophies, goals and objectives for the executive officers;
making recommendations toVice Chairman, informed the Board of Directors with respect to long-term incentive compensation and equity-based plans, including Director compensation; and
providing oversight of the Company’s compensation policies, plans and benefits programs.

The Compensation Committee is governed by a written charter adopted and approved by the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee’s Charter is available on the Company’s website at http://www.alicoinc.com, in the Corporate Governance section of the Investors webpage and is available in printed form upon request from the Corporate Secretary, 10070 Daniels Interstate Court Suite 100, Fort Myers, FL 33913.

The Compensation Committee is currently composed of three Directors: R. Greg Eisner (Chairman), W. Andrew Krusen, Jr. and Joseph S. Sambuco. The Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Eisner, Krusen and Sambuco are independent under the Nasdaq listing standards. The Compensation Committee met seven times in fiscal year 2018. Semler Brossy Consulting Group, LLC is the current compensation consultant for the Company and provides advice and data to the Compensation Committee from


time to timehe would voluntarily step down as requested. The Compensation Committee engaged Semler Brossy Consulting Group, LLC in fiscal year 2018 to provide advice about compensation-related matters.
Nominating and Governance Committee
The Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for the following:

reviewing annually the performance of the Board of Directors;
recommending nominees to serve on the Board of Directors to fill new positions or vacancies;
reviewing performance and qualifications of Directors before they stand for re-election; and
reviewing corporate governance guidelines to assure their relevance to and compliance with the Company’s current situation and recommending changes to these principles to the Board of Directors for its consideration and approval.

The Nominating and Governance Committee’s Charter is available on the Company’s website at http://www.alicoinc.com, in the Corporate Governance section of the Investors webpage and is available in printed form upon request from the Corporate Secretary, 10070 Daniels Interstate Court Suite 100, Fort Myers, FL 33913.

Currently, the three members of the Nominating and Governance Committee are R. Greg Eisner (Chairman), Benjamin D. Fishman and Henry R. Slack. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Eisner is independent under the Nasdaq listing standards. As discussed in more detail below, by February 17, 2019, at least a majority of the members of our Nominating and Governance Committee must be independent under Nasdaq listing standards, and by November 19, 2019, all of the members of this committee must be independent. The Nominating and Governance Committee did not meet during fiscal year 2018.

There were no fees or expenses paid to a third party in fiscal year 2018 for the identification or evaluation of potential Director nominees.

The Nominating and Governance Committee has adopted a formal policy with regard to the consideration of any Director candidates recommended by shareholders other than 734 Agriculture or its affiliates, including 734 Investors, Alico’s largest shareholder group. Subject to the foregoing, the criteria for consideration of shareholder recommendations are as follows: (a) for each Annual Meeting of the Company’s shareholders, the Nominating and Governance Committee will accept for consideration only one recommendation from any shareholder or affiliated group of shareholders; (b) only candidates who satisfy the Company’s minimum qualifications for Directors will be considered; and (c) in considering shareholder recommendations, the Nominating and Governance Committee will take into account, among other factors, the size and duration of the recommending shareholder’s ownership interest in the Company and whether the shareholder intends to continue holding that interest through the Annual Meeting date.

Corporate Governance

General

As of November 19, 2018, we no longer qualify as a “Controlled Company” under Nasdaq listing rules. Although we currently comply with certain of the Nasdaq listing rules applicable to companies that are not Controlled Companies, there are certain exemptions for Controlled Companies that we no longer benefit from, including that the Nasdaq listing rules require that each of the Compensation and Nominating and Governance Committees be composed of at least a majority of Independent Directors within 90 days of the date on which we no longer qualified as a “Controlled Company” and that each such committee be composed entirely of independent directors within one year of such date. During these transition periods, we will continue to qualify for and may continue to utilize the available exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements as permitted by the Nasdaq listing rules. As indicated above, our Compensation Committee is already composed entirely of independent Directors. By February 17, 2019, we intend to adjust the composition of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to be composed of at least a majority of independent Directors, and by November 19, 2019, we intend to adjust the composition to be composed of all independent Directors.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Corporate Governance Principles

The Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that is applicable to all Directors, officers and employees. The code covers all areas of professional conduct, including conflicts of interest, unfair or unethical use of corporate opportunities, protection of confidential information, compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and oversight and compliance. The Board of Directors has also adopted Corporate Governance Principles to guide its own operations. Both documents are available on the Company’s website at http://www.alicoinc.com in the Corporate Governance section of the Investors webpage and are


available in printed form upon request from the Corporate Secretary, 10070 Daniels Interstate Court Suite 100, Fort Myers, FL 33913.
Board of Directors Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight
The Board of Directors currently consists of seven members. Currently the positions of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer are held by separate people. Effective December 31, 2016, Mr. Slack, who was at that time serving as the non-executive Chairman of the Board, became the Executive Chairman of the Company, and Mr. Brokaw, who was serving as a non-executive Director, became the Executive Vice Chairman of the Company. The Board of Directors believes that the current separation of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer roles allows the Chief Executive Officer to focus his time and energy on managing and operating our Company while permitting our Company to take advantage of Mr. Slack’s broad business experience, financial business perspectives and extensive background in monitoring public companies. The Board of Directors determined to create a separate Vice Chairman role to focus on strategic initiatives and on optimizing the Company’s capital structure. The Board of Directors appointed Mr. Brokaw as Vice Chairman effective December 31, 2016, because2019 and that change has taken effect. After the effectiveness of his extensive financialthis change, Mr. Brokaw has remained a member of the Board of Directors.

Effective February 27, 2020 (which was immediately after the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders), by way of action that has been taken by and investment expertise and strong background in mergers and acquisitions and capital markets. Theat the direction of the Board of Directors, also believes that its Independent Directors provide strong leadershipBenjamin D. Fishman, the non-employee Executive Chairman, became the Chairman of the Board. Mr. Fishman has remained a non-employee director.


Condensed Consolidated Results of Operations

The following discussion provides an analysis of Alico's results of operations and complementshould be read in conjunction with the talentsaccompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018:

(in thousands)

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

Change

 

 

September 30,

 

 

Change

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

$

 

 

%

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

$

 

 

%

 

Operating revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alico Citrus

 

$

89,369

 

 

$

119,031

 

 

$

(29,662

)

 

 

(24.9

)%

 

$

119,031

 

 

$

78,121

 

 

$

40,910

 

 

 

52.4

%

Land Management and Other Operations

 

 

3,138

 

 

 

3,220

 

 

 

(82

)

 

 

(2.5

)%

 

 

3,220

 

 

 

3,160

 

 

 

60

 

 

 

1.9

%

Total operating revenues

 

 

92,507

 

 

 

122,251

 

 

 

(29,744

)

 

 

(24.3

)%

 

 

122,251

 

 

 

81,281

 

 

 

40,970

 

 

 

50.4

%

Gross profit (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alico Citrus

 

 

17,088

 

 

 

59,437

 

 

 

(42,349

)

 

 

(71.3

)%

 

 

59,437

 

 

 

26,412

 

 

 

33,025

 

 

 

125.0

%

Land Management and Other Operations

 

 

831

 

 

 

923

 

 

 

(92

)

 

 

(10.0

)%

 

 

923

 

 

 

(819

)

 

 

1,742

 

 

NM

 

Total gross profit

 

 

17,919

 

 

 

60,360

 

 

 

(42,441

)

 

 

(70.3

)%

 

 

60,360

 

 

 

25,593

 

 

 

34,767

 

 

 

135.8

%

General and administrative expenses

 

 

10,998

 

 

 

15,146

 

 

 

(4,148

)

 

 

(27.4

)%

 

 

15,146

 

 

 

15,058

 

 

 

88

 

 

 

0.6

%

Income from operations

 

 

6,921

 

 

 

45,214

 

 

 

(38,293

)

 

 

(84.7

)%

 

 

45,214

 

 

 

10,535

 

 

 

34,679

 

 

NM

 

Total other income, net

 

 

24,456

 

 

 

5,019

 

 

 

19,437

 

 

NM

 

 

 

5,019

 

 

 

2,655

 

 

 

2,364

 

 

 

89.0

%

Income before income taxes

 

 

31,377

 

 

 

50,233

 

 

 

(18,856

)

 

 

(37.5

)%

 

 

50,233

 

 

 

13,190

 

 

 

37,043

 

 

NM

 

Income tax provision

 

 

7,663

 

 

 

12,783

 

 

 

(5,120

)

 

 

(40.1

)%

 

 

12,783

 

 

 

390

 

 

 

12,393

 

 

NM

 

Net income

 

 

23,714

 

 

 

37,450

 

 

 

(13,736

)

 

 

(36.7

)%

 

 

37,450

 

 

 

12,800

 

 

 

24,650

 

 

 

192.6

%

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

(52

)

 

 

383

 

 

 

(435

)

 

NM

 

 

 

383

 

 

 

250

 

 

 

133

 

 

 

53.2

%

Net income attributable to Alico, Inc. common stockholders

 

$

23,662

 

 

$

37,833

 

 

$

(14,171

)

 

 

(37.5

)%

 

$

37,833

 

 

$

13,050

 

 

$

24,783

 

 

 

189.9

%

NM - Not meaningful

The following table presents our operating revenues, by segment, as a percentage of total operating revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018:

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Operating revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alico Citrus

 

 

96.6

%

 

 

97.4

%

 

 

96.1

%

Land Management and Other Operations

 

 

3.4

%

 

 

2.6

%

 

 

3.9

%

Total operating revenues

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

100.0

%


The following discussion provides an analysis of the Company's operating segments:

Alico Citrus

(in thousands, except per box and per pound solids data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

Change

 

 

September 30,

 

 

Change

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Unit

 

 

%

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Unit

 

 

%

 

Operating Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Early and Mid-Season

 

$

31,303

 

 

$

39,574

 

 

$

(8,271

)

 

 

(20.9

)%

 

$

39,574

 

 

$

24,309

 

 

$

15,265

 

 

 

62.8

%

Valencias

 

 

50,060

 

 

 

73,480

 

 

 

(23,420

)

 

 

(31.9

)%

 

 

73,480

 

 

 

48,865

 

 

 

24,615

 

 

 

50.4

%

Fresh Fruit

 

 

2,321

 

 

 

3,629

 

 

 

(1,308

)

 

 

(36.0

)%

 

 

3,629

 

 

 

2,054

 

 

 

1,575

 

 

 

76.7

%

Grove Management Services

 

 

4,599

 

 

 

1,342

 

 

 

3,257

 

 

NM

 

 

 

1,342

 

 

 

1,808

 

 

 

(466

)

 

 

(25.8

)%

Purchase and Resale of Fruit

 

 

850

 

 

 

943

 

 

 

(93

)

 

 

(9.9

)%

 

 

943

 

 

 

809

 

 

 

134

 

 

 

16.6

%

Other

 

 

236

 

 

 

63

 

 

 

173

 

 

NM

 

 

 

63

 

 

 

276

 

 

 

(213

)

 

 

(77.2

)%

Total

 

$

89,369

 

 

$

119,031

 

 

$

(29,662

)

 

 

(24.9

)%

 

$

119,031

 

 

$

78,121

 

 

$

40,910

 

 

 

52.4

%

Boxes Harvested:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Early and Mid-Season

 

 

3,146

 

 

 

3,114

 

 

 

32

 

 

 

1.0

%

 

 

3,114

 

 

 

1,811

 

 

 

1,303

 

 

 

71.9

%

Valencias

 

 

4,165

 

 

 

4,790

 

 

 

(625

)

 

 

(13.0

)%

 

 

4,790

 

 

 

2,891

 

 

 

1,899

 

 

 

65.7

%

Total Processed

 

 

7,311

 

 

 

7,904

 

 

 

(593

)

 

 

(7.5

)%

 

 

7,904

 

 

 

4,702

 

 

 

3,202

 

 

 

68.1

%

Fresh Fruit

 

 

267

 

 

 

210

 

 

 

57

 

 

 

27.1

%

 

 

210

 

 

 

125

 

 

 

85

 

 

 

68.0

%

Total

 

 

7,578

 

 

 

8,114

 

 

 

(536

)

 

 

(6.6

)%

 

 

8,114

 

 

 

4,827

 

 

 

3,287

 

 

 

68.1

%

Pound Solids Produced:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Early and Mid- Season

 

 

17,947

 

 

 

16,873

 

 

 

1,074

 

 

 

6.4

%

 

 

16,873

 

 

 

9,194

 

 

 

7,679

 

 

 

83.5

%

Valencias

 

 

25,631

 

 

 

29,854

 

 

 

(4,223

)

 

 

(14.1

)%

 

 

29,854

 

 

 

17,319

 

 

 

12,535

 

 

 

72.4

%

Total

 

 

43,578

 

 

 

46,727

 

 

 

(3,149

)

 

 

(6.7

)%

 

 

46,727

 

 

 

26,513

 

 

 

20,214

 

 

 

76.2

%

Pound Solids per Box:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Early and Mid-Season

 

 

5.70

 

 

 

5.42

 

 

 

0.28

 

 

 

5.2

%

 

 

5.42

 

 

 

5.07

 

 

 

0.35

 

 

 

6.9

%

Valencias

 

 

6.15

 

 

 

6.23

 

 

 

(0.08

)

 

 

(1.3

)%

 

 

6.23

 

 

 

5.99

 

 

 

0.24

 

 

 

4.0

%

Price per Pound Solids:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Early and Mid-Season

 

$

1.74

 

 

$

2.35

 

 

$

(0.61

)

 

 

(26.0

)%

 

$

2.35

 

 

$

2.64

 

 

$

(0.29

)

 

 

(11.0

)%

Valencias

 

$

1.95

 

 

$

2.46

 

 

$

(0.51

)

 

 

(20.7

)%

 

$

2.46

 

 

$

2.82

 

 

$

(0.36

)

 

 

(12.8

)%

Price per Box:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fresh Fruit

 

$

8.69

 

 

$

17.28

 

 

$

(8.59

)

 

 

(49.7

)%

 

$

17.28

 

 

$

16.43

 

 

$

0.85

 

 

 

5.2

%

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of Sales

 

$

52,492

 

 

$

52,037

 

 

$

455

 

 

 

0.9

%

 

$

52,037

 

 

$

46,477

 

 

$

5,560

 

 

 

12.0

%

Harvesting and Hauling

 

 

19,897

 

 

 

22,079

 

 

 

(2,182

)

 

 

(9.9

)%

 

 

22,079

 

 

 

12,821

 

 

 

9,258

 

 

 

72.2

%

Grove Management Services

 

 

3,817

 

 

 

774

 

 

 

3,043

 

 

NM

 

 

 

774

 

 

 

1,177

 

 

 

(403

)

 

 

(34.2

)%

Purchase and Resale of Fruit

 

 

704

 

 

 

788

 

 

 

(84

)

 

 

(10.7

)%

 

 

788

 

 

 

662

 

 

 

126

 

 

 

19.0

%

Other

 

 

(4,629

)

 

 

(16,084

)

 

 

11,455

 

 

 

(71.2

)%

 

 

(16,084

)

 

 

(9,428

)

 

 

(6,656

)

 

 

70.6

%

Total

 

$

72,281

 

 

$

59,594

 

 

$

12,687

 

 

 

21.3

%

 

$

59,594

 

 

$

51,709

 

 

$

7,885

 

 

 

15.2

%

Gross Profit

 

$

17,088

 

 

$

59,437

 

 

$

(42,349

)

 

 

(71.3

)%

 

$

59,437

 

 

$

26,412

 

 

$

33,025

 

 

 

125.0

%

NM - Not meaningful

Our citrus groves produce the majority of our management team.

annual operating revenues and the citrus grove business is seasonal because it is tied to the growing and harvest season. Historically, the second and third quarters of Alico's fiscal year produce the majority of the annual revenues and working capital requirements are typically greater in the first and fourth quarters of the fiscal year, coinciding with the growing cycles.

The BoardCompany sells its Early and Mid-Season and Valencia oranges to processors that convert the majority of Directors has delegated certain duties with respectthe citrus crop into orange juice. They generally buy the citrus on a pound solids basis, which is the measure of the soluble solids (sugars and acids) contained in one box of fruit. Fresh fruit is generally sold to risk oversightpacking houses that purchase the citrus on a per box basis. Other revenues consist of third-party grove caretaking and the purchase and reselling of fruit.


Alico's operating expenses consist primarily of cost of sales and harvesting and hauling costs. Cost of sales represents the cost of maintaining the citrus groves for the Companypreceding calendar year and does not vary in relation to production. Harvesting and hauling costs represent the costs of bringing citrus product to processors and varies based upon the number of boxes produced. Other expenses include the period costs of third-party grove caretaking and the purchase and reselling of fruit.

The decrease in revenue for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, compared to the Audit Committee,fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 was due to a decrease in the price per pound solids as well as a decrease in aggregate processed box production. The decrease in the price per pound solids in the market place was a result of excess supply from domestic and international growers. The decrease in aggregate processed box production was the result of greater fruit drop and smaller fruit size of Valencias in the current harvest season as compared to the prior harvest season, offset in part by an increase in processed box production of the Early and Mid-season fruit.

As previously disclosed, the Company anticipated a reduction in the market prices throughout the 2019-20 harvest season as a result of the excess supply from domestic and international growers. However, due to an increase in the consumption of Not from Concentrate Orange Juice ("NFC"), as indicated in the published Nielsen data, since March 2020, inventory levels have decreased and, as a result, the Company anticipates that market pricing will improve in the 2020-21 harvest season.

The Company completed its harvest season in the middle of May 2020 and was able to complete the harvest without any negative impact from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The increase in revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, compared to the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, was primarily related to the negative impact of Hurricane Irma on the prior fiscal year harvest. As a result of Hurricane Irma, which occurred in September 2017, the Company experienced a greater amount of fruit drop and consequently harvested approximately 3,202,000 fewer boxes in fiscal year 2018, as compared to fiscal year 2019. The Company also saw an overall increase in pound solids per box in fiscal year 2019, which was 5.91 as compared to 5.64 for fiscal year 2018. In addition, the increase in revenue, to a smaller extent, was due to a greater number of boxes of fresh fruit being sold in fiscal year 2019.

Total processed boxes harvested in fiscal year 2020 decreased by approximately 7.5%, as compared to fiscal year 2019. Pound solids increased by approximately 6.4% and decreased by approximately 14.1% for the Early and Mid-Season and Valencia oranges, respectively. The combination of these items resulted in approximately 3,149,000 fewer pound solids sold in fiscal year 2020, as compared to fiscal year 2019.

Total processed boxes harvested in fiscal year 2019 increased by approximately 68.1%, as compared to fiscal year 2018. Pound solids increased by approximately 6.9% and approximately 4.0% for the Early and Mid-Season and Valencia oranges, respectively. The combination of these items resulted in approximately 20,214,000 of additional pound solids sold in fiscal year 2019, as compared to fiscal year 2018.

The USDA, in its November 10, 2020 Citrus Crop Forecast for the 2020-21 harvest season, indicated its expectation that the Florida orange crop will decrease from approximately 67,300,000 boxes for the 2019-20 crop year to approximately 57,000,000 boxes for the 2020-21 crop year, a decrease of approximately 15.3%. As production is comprised solelyestimated to be lower than in the prior year, the Company anticipates there will be an increase in market prices in the 2020-21 harvest season primarily driven by an increase in demand for NFC orange juice, which will more than offset the negative impact from the estimated decline in production.

The increase in operating expenses for the fiscal year 2020, as compared to the fiscal year 2019, primarily relates to the Company receiving less federal relief proceeds through the Florida CRBG program relating to Hurricane Irma, which are recorded as a reduction of Independent Directors.operating expenses, during fiscal year 2020, as compared to fiscal year 2019. The Company received proceeds of approximately $4,629,000 and $15,597,000 through the Florida CRBG program relating to Hurricane Irma during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Additionally, the Company recorded additional grove management services expense of approximately $3.0 million. Partially offsetting this decrease in operating expenses was a reduction in harvesting and hauling costs experienced by the Company as a result of fewer processed boxes being harvested during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the same period in the prior year.

On July 16, 2020, the Company executed an agreement with an affiliated group of third parties to provide citrus grove caretaking and harvest and haul management services for approximately 7,000 acres owned by such third parties. Under the terms of this agreement, the Company is to be reimbursed by the third parties for all of its costs incurred related to providing these services and also is to receive a management fee based on acres covered under this agreement. As the Company provides these citrus grove caretaking management services, the Company will be recording both an increase in revenues and expenses. For the fourth quarter ended September 30, 2020, the Company recorded approximately $3,300,000 of operating revenue, including the management fee, and approximately $3,000,000 of operating expenses relating to this arrangement.


Land Management and Other Operations

The table below presents key operating measures for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018:

(in thousands)

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

Change

 

 

September 30,

 

 

Change

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

$

 

 

%

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

$

 

 

%

 

Revenue From:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land and other leasing

 

$

2,683

 

 

$

2,787

 

 

$

(104

)

 

 

(3.7

)%

 

$

2,787

 

 

$

2,595

 

 

$

192

 

 

 

7.4

%

Sale of calves and culls

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NM

 

 

 

 

 

 

57

 

 

 

(57

)

 

 

(100.0

)%

Other

 

 

455

 

 

 

433

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

5.1

%

 

 

433

 

 

 

508

 

 

 

(75

)

 

 

(14.8

)%

Total

 

$

3,138

 

 

$

3,220

 

 

$

(82

)

 

 

(2.5

)%

 

$

3,220

 

 

$

3,160

 

 

$

60

 

 

 

1.9

%

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land and other leasing

 

$

955

 

 

$

1,047

 

 

$

(92

)

 

 

(8.8

)%

 

$

1,047

 

 

$

1,072

 

 

$

(25

)

 

 

(2.3

)%

Cost of calves sold

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NM

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,075

 

 

 

(1,075

)

 

 

(100.0

)%

Water conservation

 

 

1,346

 

 

 

1,206

 

 

 

140

 

 

 

11.6

%

 

 

1,206

 

 

 

1,619

 

 

 

(413

)

 

 

(25.5

)%

Other

 

 

6

 

 

 

44

 

 

 

(38

)

 

 

(86.4

)%

 

 

44

 

 

 

213

 

 

 

(169

)

 

 

(79.3

)%

Total

 

$

2,307

 

 

$

2,297

 

 

$

10

 

 

 

0.4

%

 

$

2,297

 

 

$

3,979

 

 

$

(1,682

)

 

 

(42.3

)%

Gross Profit (loss)

 

$

831

 

 

$

923

 

 

$

(92

)

 

 

(10.0

)%

 

$

923

 

 

$

(819

)

 

$

1,742

 

 

NM

 

NM - Not meaningful

Land and other leasing include lease income from leases for grazing rights, hunting leases, a farm lease, a lease to a third party of an aggregate mine, leases of oil extraction rights to third parties, and other miscellaneous income.

The slight decrease in revenues from Land Management and Other Operations for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 is primarily due to a reduction in the leased acreage relating to a cattle grazing lease. The reduction in the leased acreage was due to certain acres, which were included under this lease arrangement, having been sold in September 2019.

On September 11, 2020, the Company sold approximately 10,700 acres on the western part of Alico Ranch to the State of Florida. Because the acres involved in the sale would have been critical to our planned dispersed water storage project, the Company has decided to no longer pursue permit approval activities for this particular project. As a result of this decision, the Company wrote-down approximately $598,000 of assets relating to this project during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. The Company anticipates that it will have no further expenses incurred relating to the dispersed water storage project moving forward.

The slight increase in revenues from Land Management and Other Operations for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 is primarily due to the Company recording a full year of grazing lease revenue in fiscal year 2019, while only recording nine months of revenue as the lease for these grazing rights was executed on January 8, 2018, at the time of the sale of the cattle herd. Partially offsetting this increase was a decrease in farm lease revenue as a result of a lease not being renewed in fiscal year 2019.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 was approximately $10,998,000, compared to approximately $15,146,000 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019.

The decrease in general and administrative expenses for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, as compared to the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, was primarily due to professional fees, relating to a corporate litigation matter, of approximately $2,300,000 being incurred for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019. This litigation was settled and no further expenses were incurred relating to this matter during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020.Additionally, as part of this settlement, the Company recorded consulting and separation fees of $800,000 during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019. The Company also experienced a reduction due to (i) a one-time pension expense related to its deferred retirement benefit plan of approximately $965,000 in fiscal year 2019, (ii) a reduction in payroll expenses for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 of approximately $331,000 relating to one of the senior managers resigning in December 2019 and a reduction in bonuses granted to senior management, (iii) a decrease in stock compensation expense of approximately $204,000 as a result of certain stock options expense being accelerated in fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 and (iv) other smaller decreases in rent, consulting and Board of Directors’ Audit Committee Charter,Director fees aggregating approximately $445,000. Partially offsetting these decreases was a lower amount of stock compensation expense of $823,000 recognized in fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 as a result of a former senior executive forfeiting his stock options as part of the Audit Committee is chargedsettled litigation and an increase in Directors and Officers insurance of approximately $247,000.


The slight increase in general and administrative expenses for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, as compared to the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, was primarily due to an increase in professional fees, relating to a corporate litigation matter, of approximately $2,300,000 during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019. This litigation has been resolved with discussing with management our major financial risk exposuresa settlement being reached on February 11, 2019. The Company does not anticipate further professional fees relating to this litigation. Additionally, as part of this settlement, the Company recorded consulting and separation fees of $800,000 during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019. The Company also recorded a one-time pension expense related to its deferred retirement benefit plan of approximately $965,000 in fiscal year 2019. Partially offsetting these increases were decreases in expenses due to (i) a reduction in stock compensation expense of $823,000 as a result of a former senior executive forfeiting his stock options as part of the settled litigation, (ii) a reduction in rent expense of approximately $450,000 as a result of the Company not renewing its lease for office space in New York City, (iii) an acceleration of stock compensation expense in fiscal year 2018 of approximately $782,000 as a result of two senior executives forfeiting a portion of their stock options, and (iv) a reduction in payroll costs of approximately $1,261,000. The reduction in payroll costs was primarily from (i) a reduction in separation expenses of approximately $388,000; (ii) a reduction in accrual for paid-time-off of approximately $100,000; and (iii) a reduction in executive compensation expense of approximately $725,000 relating to the resignation of a former senior executive.

Other Income, net

Other income, net, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was approximately $24,456,000 and approximately $5,019,000, respectively. The increase in other income, net was primarily due to the Company recording a higher gain on sale of real estate, property and equipment and assets held for sale in fiscal year 2020, as compared to fiscal year 2019.In fiscal year 2020, the Company recorded a gain of approximately $30,424,000, which was generated primarily from the sale of land on its West Ranch in September 2020 to the State of Florida. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded a gain of approximately $13,166,000, which was generated primarily for the sale of land on its West Ranch in September 2019. Additionally, the Company recognized a reduction of approximately $1,199,000 in interest expense in fiscal year 2020 as a result of (i) the reduction of its long-term debt attributable to making its mandatory principal payments, (ii) the Company prepaying approximately $4,455,000 on its debt obligations and (iii) a reduction in interest rates.  

Other income, net for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 was approximately $5,019,000 and approximately $2,655,000, respectively. The increase in other income, net was primarily due to the Company recording a higher gain on sale of real estate, property and equipment and assets held for sale in fiscal year 2019, as compared to fiscal year 2018. In fiscal year 2019, the Company recorded a gain of approximately $13,166,000, which was generated primarily for the sale of land on its West Ranch in September 2019. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded a gain of $11,041,000 on the sale of real estate, property and equipment and assets held for sale, which included its corporate office building in Fort Myers, Florida, its Gal Hog property and a land parcel within its East Ranch resulting in gains of approximately $1,751,000, $6,709,000 and $1,759,000, respectively. Additionally, the Company incurred less interest expense of approximately $1,381,000 in fiscal year 2019, as compared to fiscal year 2018, primarily due to the Company recording imputed interest expense during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 relating to its Sugarcane transaction, which was terminated in fiscal year 2019.

Income Taxes

For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the provision for income taxes was approximately $7,663,000, $12,783,000 and $390,000, respectively, and the steps managementrelated effective income tax rates were approximately 24.50%, 25.45% and 2.96%, respectively. The change in the tax provision for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 is the result of the Company generating less net income during the current fiscal year as compared to the prior fiscal year.

The change in the tax provision for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 was the result of the Company generating greater net income during fiscal year 2019, as compared to the prior fiscal year. Additionally, a one-time non-cash deferred income tax benefit of approximately $9,847,000 was recorded in fiscal year 2018 which resulted from the remeasurement of the Company's net deferred tax liabilities due to the 21% corporate tax rate that was enacted December 22, 2017, and an effect of the expiration of its capital loss carryforward, which expired at September 30, 2018, of approximately $5,634,000 which was recorded in fiscal year 2018, thus resulting in an additional income tax expense.

Seasonality

The Company is primarily engaged in the production of fruit for sale to citrus markets, which is of a seasonal nature, and subject to the influence of natural phenomena and wide price fluctuations. Historically, the second and third quarters of Alico's fiscal year produce the majority of the Company's annual revenue. Working capital requirements are typically greater in the first and fourth quarters of the fiscal year, coinciding with harvesting cycles. Because of the seasonality of the business, results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for the full fiscal year.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

A comparative balance sheet summary is presented in the following table:

(in thousands)

 

September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

$

19,687

 

 

$

23,838

 

 

$

(4,151

)

Total current assets

 

$

51,899

 

 

$

61,977

 

 

$

(10,078

)

Total current liabilities

 

$

21,158

 

 

$

28,951

 

 

$

(7,793

)

Working capital

 

$

30,741

 

 

$

33,026

 

 

$

(2,285

)

Total assets

 

$

423,937

 

 

$

417,388

 

 

$

6,549

 

Principal amount of term loans and lines of credit

 

$

148,251

 

 

$

163,449

 

 

$

(15,198

)

Current ratio

 

2.45 to 1

 

 

2.14 to 1

 

 

 

 

 

Alico's business has takenhistorically generated positive net cash flows from operating activities. Sources of cash primarily include cash flows from operations, sales of under-performing land and other assets, amounts available under the Company's credit facilities and access to monitorcapital markets. Access to additional borrowings under revolving lines of credit is subject to the satisfaction of customary borrowing conditions. As a public company, Alico may have access to other sources of capital. However, access to, and controlavailability of, financing on acceptable terms in the future will be affected by many factors, including (i) financial condition, prospects and credit rating, (ii) liquidity of the overall capital markets and (iii) the state of the economy. There can be no assurance that the Company will continue to have access to the capital markets on acceptable terms, or at all.

The principal uses of cash that affect Alico's liquidity position include the following: operating expenses including employee costs, the cost of maintaining the citrus groves, harvesting and hauling of citrus products, capital expenditures, stock repurchases, dividends, debt service costs including interest and principal payments on term loans and other credit facilities and acquisitions.

Management believes that a combination of cash-on-hand, cash generated from operations, asset sales and availability under the Company's lines of credit will provide sufficient liquidity to service the principal and interest payments on its indebtedness, and will satisfy working capital requirements and capital expenditures for at least the next twelve months and over the long term. Alico has a $70,000,000 working capital line of credit, of which approximately $66,659,000 is available for general use as of September 30, 2020, and a $25,000,000 revolving line of credit, all of which is available for general use as of September 30, 2020 (see Note 6. “Long-Term Debt and Lines of Credit" to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements). If the Company pursues significant growth and other corporate opportunities, it could have a material adverse impact on its cash balances, and may need to finance such exposures,activities by drawing down monies under its lines of credit or by obtaining additional debt or equity financing. There can be no assurance that additional financing will be available to the Company when needed or, if available, that it can be obtained on commercially reasonable terms. Any inability to obtain additional financing could impact Alico's ability to pursue different growth and other corporate opportunities.

The level of debt could have important consequences on Alico's business, including, but not limited to, increasing its vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions, limiting the availability of cash flow to fund future investments, capital expenditures, working capital, business activities and other general corporate requirements, and limiting flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in its business and industry.

Cash Management Impacts

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash decreased from approximately $23,838,000 as of September 30, 2019 to approximately $19,687,000 as of September 30, 2020. Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash decreased from approximately $32,260,000 as of September 30, 2018 to approximately $23,838,000 as of September 30, 2019. The components of these changes are discussed below.


Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

The following table details the items contributing to the changes in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash for fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018:

(in thousands)

 

Fiscal Year Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

1,049

 

 

$

48,832

 

 

$

18,578

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

 

9,489

 

 

 

(4,960

)

 

 

22,924

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

 

(14,689

)

 

 

(52,294

)

 

 

(12,637

)

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

$

(4,151

)

 

$

(8,422

)

 

$

28,865

 

Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities

(in thousands)

 

Fiscal Year Ended

September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

Net income

 

$

23,714

 

 

$

37,450

 

 

$

(13,736

)

 

$

37,450

 

 

$

12,800

 

 

$

24,650

 

Deferred gain on sale of sugarcane land

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(967

)

 

 

967

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

14,520

 

 

 

13,924

 

 

 

596

 

 

 

13,924

 

 

 

13,756

 

 

 

168

 

Deferred income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

7,603

 

 

 

3,267

 

 

 

4,336

 

 

 

3,267

 

 

 

(1,955

)

 

 

5,222

 

Cash surrender value

 

 

(10

)

 

 

11

 

 

 

(21

)

 

 

11

 

 

 

(27

)

 

 

38

 

Deferred retirement benefits

 

 

(5,226

)

 

 

829

 

 

 

(6,055

)

 

 

829

 

 

 

(41

)

 

 

870

 

Gain on sale of real estate, property and equipment and assets held for sale

 

 

(30,424

)

 

 

(13,166

)

 

 

(17,258

)

 

 

(13,166

)

 

 

(10,281

)

 

 

(2,885

)

Inventory net realizable value adjustment

 

 

 

 

808

 

 

 

(808

)

 

 

808

 

 

 

1,115

 

 

 

(307

)

Loss on disposal of property and equipment

 

 

659

 

 

 

 

 

 

659

 

 

 

 

 

 

207

 

 

 

(207

)

Change in fair value of derivatives

 

 

 

 

989

 

 

 

(989

)

 

 

989

 

 

 

 

 

 

989

 

Impairment of long-lived assets

 

 

1,321

 

 

 

396

 

 

 

925

 

 

 

396

 

 

 

2,234

 

 

 

(1,838

)

Impairment of right-of-use asset

 

 

87

 

 

 

 

 

 

87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash interest expense on deferred gain on sugarcane land

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,361

 

 

 

(1,361

)

Insurance proceeds received for damage to property and equipment

 

 

 

 

 

(486

)

 

 

486

 

 

 

(486

)

 

 

(477

)

 

 

(9

)

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

1,306

 

 

 

824

 

 

 

482

 

 

 

824

 

 

 

2,613

 

 

 

(1,789

)

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

(29

)

Change in working capital

 

 

(12,501

)

 

 

3,986

 

 

 

(16,487

)

 

 

3,986

 

 

 

(1,789

)

 

 

5,775

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

1,049

 

 

$

48,832

 

 

$

(47,783

)

 

$

48,832

 

 

$

18,578

 

 

$

30,254

 

The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, as compared to the same period in fiscal year 2019, was primarily due to (i) an increase in gain on sale of real estate, property and equipment and assets held for sale in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, relating to the sale of certain sections of the West Ranch, (ii) a decrease in net income, which was primarily driven by decreased citrus sales, (iii) a decrease in the deferred retirement benefit as a result of the Company terminating its pension plan and paying all participants on August 30, 2020 and (iv) a decrease in working capital as a result of the payment of income taxes and an increase in accounts receivable related to the Company’s risk assessmentgrove management services whereby the Company pays all growing costs and riskthen is reimbursed in the future from proceeds of fruit sales of the third-party.  

The increase in net cash provided by operating activities for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, as compared to the same period in fiscal year 2018, was primarily due to (i) an increase in net income which was primarily driven by increased citrus sales and the receipt of federal disaster relief funds relating to Hurricane and (ii) an increase in working capital, which is due to a decrease in accounts receivable and an increase in income taxes payable.

Due to the seasonal nature of Alico's business, working capital requirements are typically greater in the first and fourth quarters of its fiscal year. Cash flows from operating activities typically improve in the second and third fiscal quarters, as sales of its harvested citrus are made.


Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Investing Activities

The following table details the items contributing to Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Investing Activities for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018:

(in thousands)

 

Fiscal Year Ended

September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

$

(21,705

)

 

$

(20,000

)

 

$

(1,705

)

 

$

(20,000

)

 

$

(16,352

)

 

$

(3,648

)

Net proceeds from sale of real estate, property and equipment and assets held for sale

 

 

31,541

 

 

 

14,602

 

 

 

16,939

 

 

 

14,602

 

 

 

39,780

 

 

 

(25,178

)

Insurance proceeds received for damage to property and equipment

 

 

 

 

486

 

 

 

(486

)

 

 

486

 

 

 

477

 

 

 

9

 

Change in deposits on purchase of citrus trees

 

 

(458

)

 

 

(108

)

 

 

(350

)

 

 

(108

)

 

 

(431

)

 

 

323

 

Advances on notes receivables, net

 

 

136

 

 

 

60

 

 

 

76

 

 

 

60

 

 

 

(575

)

 

 

635

 

Other

 

 

(25

)

 

 

 

 

 

(25

)

 

 

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

(25

)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

$

9,489

 

 

$

(4,960

)

 

$

14,449

 

 

$

(4,960

)

 

$

22,924

 

 

$

(27,884

)

The shift from net cash used in investing activities for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 to net cash provided by investing activities for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 was primarily due to an increase in proceeds received on the sale of certain assets sold during fiscal year 2020, as compared to fiscal year 2019. This is due to the Company divesting of more acres of land in fiscal year 2020, as compared to fiscal year 2019 (see Note 4. “Assets Held for Sale” and Note 5. “Property & Equipment, Net” to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements).

The change from net cash provided by investing activities for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 to net cash used in investing activities for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 was primarily due to a decrease in proceeds received on the sale of certain assets sold during fiscal year 2019, as compared to fiscal year 2018. This is due to the Company divesting of several more assets in fiscal year 2018, as compared to fiscal year 2019 (see Note 4. “Assets Held for Sale” and Note 5. “Property & Equipment, Net” to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements). In addition, the shift, to a smaller extent, was due to an increase in capital expenditures which was driven by the purchase of certain land blocks within its existing grove location.

Net Cash Used In Financing Activities

The following table details the items contributing to Net Cash Used In Financing Activities for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018:

(in thousands)

 

Fiscal Year Ended

September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

Repayments on revolving lines of credit

 

$

(114,581

)

 

$

(89,231

)

 

$

(25,350

)

 

$

(89,231

)

 

$

(25,600

)

 

$

(63,631

)

Borrowings on revolving lines of credit

 

 

117,523

 

 

 

86,546

 

 

 

30,977

 

 

 

86,546

 

 

 

28,285

 

 

 

58,261

 

Principal payments on term loans

 

 

(15,198

)

 

 

(10,900

)

 

 

(4,298

)

 

 

(10,900

)

 

 

(12,127

)

 

 

1,227

 

Treasury stock purchases

 

 

(238

)

 

 

(25,576

)

 

 

25,338

 

 

 

(25,576

)

 

 

(2,215

)

 

 

(23,361

)

Payment on termination of sugarcane agreement

 

 

 

 

(11,300

)

 

 

11,300

 

 

 

(11,300

)

 

 

 

 

 

(11,300

)

Deferred Financing costs

 

 

(23

)

 

 

 

 

 

(23

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends paid

 

 

(2,466

)

 

 

(1,833

)

 

 

(633

)

 

 

(1,833

)

 

 

(1,972

)

 

 

139

 

Capital contribution received from noncontrolling interest

 

 

294

 

 

 

 

 

 

294

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,000

 

 

 

(1,000

)

Capital lease obligation payments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8

)

 

 

8

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

$

(14,689

)

 

$

(52,294

)

 

$

37,605

 

 

$

(52,294

)

 

$

(12,637

)

 

$

(39,657

)

The decrease in net cash used in financing activities for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, as compared to the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, was primarily due tothe Company repurchasing its common shares through a tender offer in October 2018 for an aggregate approximate amount of $25,576,000 and the termination of its 2014 Post-Closing Agreement in March 2019 pursuant to which the Company paid $11,300,000. Partially offsetting this shift was a prepayment of one of its long-term debt obligations in November 2019 in the amount of $4,455,000.


The increase in net cash used in financing activities for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, as compared to the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, was primarily due to the Company purchasing 752,234 common shares through a tender offer, for an aggregate amount of approximately $25,576,000, the termination of its 2014 Post-Closing Agreement relating to sugarcane transaction pursuant to which the Company paid approximately $11,300,000, and a pay down, net of borrowings, of its revolving line of credit by approximately $2,265,000.

Alico had approximately $2,942,000 outstanding on its revolving lines of credit as of September 30, 2020 and approximately $91,659,000 remaining availability.

The WCLC line of credit agreement provides for Rabo Agrifinance, Inc. to issue up to $2,000,000 in letters of credit on the Company’s behalf. As of September 30, 2020, there was approximately $399,000 in outstanding letters of credit, which correspondingly slightly reduced Alico's availability under the line of credit.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

None

Contractual Obligations

Alico has various contractual obligations which are fixed and determinable. The following table presents the Company's significant contractual obligations and commercial commitments on an undiscounted basis as of September 30, 2020 and the future periods in which such obligations are expected to be settled in cash.

(in thousands)

 

Payments Due by Period

 

 

 

Total

 

 

<1 Year

 

 

1-3 Years

 

 

3-5 Years

 

 

5+ Years

 

Long-Term Debt

 

$

148,251

 

 

$

9,145

 

 

$

21,070

 

 

$

21,070

 

 

$

96,966

 

Interest on Long-Term Debt

 

 

33,964

 

 

 

5,235

 

 

 

9,254

 

 

 

7,634

 

 

 

11,841

 

Consulting/Non-Compete Agreement

 

 

146

 

 

 

146

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Leases

 

 

891

 

 

 

519

 

 

 

324

 

 

 

48

 

 

 

 

Tree Purchase Commitments

 

 

3,014

 

 

 

3,014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

186,266

 

 

$

18,059

 

 

$

30,648

 

 

$

28,752

 

 

$

108,807

 

Purchase Commitments

The Company enters into contracts for the purchase of citrus trees during the normal course of its business. As of September 30, 2020, the Company had approximately $3,014,000 relating to outstanding commitments for these purchases, which will be paid upon delivery.

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices

Our financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires us to measure financial position and operating results primarily in terms of historic dollars. Changes in the relative value of money due to inflation or recession generally are not considered. The primary effect of inflation on our operations is reflected in increased operating costs. In our management’s opinion, changes in interest rates affect the financial condition to a far greater degree than changes in the inflation rate. While interest rates are greatly influenced by changes in the inflation rate, they do not necessarily change at the same rate or in the same magnitude as the inflation rate. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond our control, including changes in the expected rate of inflation, the influence of general and local economic conditions and the monetary and fiscal policies of the United States government, its agencies and various other governmental regulatory authorities.

Critical Accounting Policies

Alico's Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires management policies. to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in those financial statements and accompanying notes. Management considers an accounting policy to be critical if it is important to the Company's financial condition and results of operations and if it requires significant judgment and estimates on the part of management in its application. Alico considers policies relating to the following matters to be critical accounting policies:


Revenue Recognition

The Audit Committee provides regular reportsCompany recognizes revenue at the amount it expects to be entitled to be paid, determined when control of the products or services is transferred to its customers, which occurs upon delivery of and acceptance of the fruit by the customer and the Company has a right to payment. For grove management services, the Company recognizes operating revenue, including a management fee, when services are rendered and consumed. The Company recognized revenues from cattle sales at the time the cattle were delivered. Management reviews the reasonableness of the revenue accruals quarterly based on buyers’ and processors’ advances to growers, cash and futures markets and experience in the industry. Adjustments are made throughout the fiscal year to these estimates as more current relevant industry information becomes available. Differences between the estimates and the final realization of revenues can be significant and can be either positive or negative. During the periods presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, no material adjustments were made to the reported revenues from our crops.

Inventories

The costs of growing crops, including but not limited to labor, fertilization, fuel, crop nutrition and irrigation, are capitalized into inventory throughout the respective crop year. Such costs are expensed as cost of sales when the crops are harvested and are recorded as operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The cost for unharvested citrus crops is based on accumulated production costs incurred during the period from January 1 through the balance sheet date.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Major improvements are capitalized while maintenance and repairs are expensed in the period the cost is incurred. Costs related to the development of citrus groves, through planting of trees, are capitalized. Such costs include land clearing, excavation and construction of ditches, dikes, roads and reservoirs among other costs. After the planting, caretaking costs or pre-productive maintenance costs are capitalized for four years. After four years, a grove is considered to have reached maturity and the accumulated costs are depreciated over 25 years, except for land clearing and excavation, which are considered costs of land and not depreciated.

Income Taxes

The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for deferred income taxes. The provision for income taxes includes income taxes currently payable and those deferred as a result of temporary differences between the financial statements and the income tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted income tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in income tax rates on deferred income tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income or loss in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is provided to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount of future tax benefit when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Projected future taxable income and ongoing tax planning strategies are considered and evaluated when assessing the need for a valuation allowance. Any increase or decrease in a valuation allowance could have a material adverse or beneficial impact on the Company’s income tax provision and net income or loss in the period the determination is made. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded valuation allowances of $0, $0, and $5,634,000, respectively, relating to the unutilized capital loss carryforwards which expired. The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.

The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which a change in judgment occurs. The Company records interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. The Company records impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations, other than goodwill, when events and circumstances indicate that the asset or asset group might be impaired and the estimated cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) to be generated by those assets or asset group over the remaining lives of the assets are less than the carrying amounts of those assets. In calculating impairments and the estimated cash flows, the Company assigns its asset groups by determining the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows of the other Company assets. The net carrying values of assets or asset groups not recoverable are reduced to their fair values. Our cash flow estimates are based on historical results adjusted to reflect our best estimates of future market conditions and operating conditions. As of September 30, 2020 and 2019, long-lived assets were comprised of property and equipment.


Fair Value Measurements

The carrying amounts in the balance sheets for operating accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value because of the immediate or short-term maturity of these items. The carrying amounts reported for our long-term debt approximates fair value as our borrowings with commercial lenders are at interest rates that vary with market conditions and fixed rates that approximate market rates for comparable loans.

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are categorized into one of three different levels depending on the assumptions (i.e., inputs) used in the valuation. Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input significant to the fair value measurement. The fair value hierarchy is defined as follows:

Level 1- Valuations are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2- Valuations are based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, or quoted prices in markets that are not active for which significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3- Valuations are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. Inputs reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability at the measurement date.

Impact of Accounting Pronouncements

See Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplemental Data" - Note 1. "Description of Business and Basis of Presentation" for additional information about the impact of accounting pronouncements.

Subsequent Events

On December 2, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a cash dividend for the first quarter of fiscal year 2021 of $0.18 per share on its outstanding common stock to be paid to shareholders of record as of December 24, 2020, with payment expected on January 8, 2021.

In November 2020, the Company awarded 5,885 shares of restricted stock to certain officers and managers under the Board2015 Plan.

Compensatory Arrangements of Directors considersCertain Officers.

On December 2, 2019, the Company entered into a new employment agreement (the “Rallo Employment Agreement”) with Richard Rallo. Mr. Rallo serves as Chief Financial Officer of the Company. The Rallo Employment Agreement provides for an annual base salary of $275,000. Mr. Rallo is eligible for an annual incentive compensation award with an annual target opportunity in an amount equal to 40% of his annual base salary.

The Rallo Employment Agreement also provides that, if Mr. Rallo’s employment is terminated by the Company without “cause” or Mr. Rallo resigns with “good reason” (as each such term is defined in the Rallo Employment Agreement), then, subject to his execution, delivery, and non-revocation of a general release of claims in favor of the Company, Mr. Rallo will be entitled to (i) cash severance in an amount equal to 12 months of the annual base salary, (ii) the Accrued Obligations (as defined in the Rallo Employment Agreement) in a cash lump sum within 30 days after the date of termination, (iii) any rights or payments that are vested benefits or that Mr. Rallo is otherwise entitled to receive at or subsequent to the date of termination under any employee benefit plan or any other contract or agreement with the Company, and (iv) any Annual Bonus (as defined in the Rallo Employment Agreement) that has been earned but not paid as of the date of termination.

The Rallo Employment Agreement includes various restrictive covenants in favor of the Company, including a confidentiality covenant, a non-disparagement covenant, and 12-month post-termination noncompetition and customer and employee non-solicitation covenants.

In addition to his position as Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Rallo retains his position as the Company’s Principal Accounting Officer.

The foregoing description of the Rallo Employment Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Rallo Employment agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.37 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K and is incorporated herein by reference.


Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Market Risk- Market risk assessmentrepresents the potential loss resulting from adverse changes in the value of financial instruments, either derivative or non-derivative, caused by fluctuations in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, commodity prices, and equity security prices. The Company handles market risks in accordance with its established policies; however, Alico does not enter into derivatives or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The Company does consider, on occasion, the need to enter into financial instruments to manage and reduce the impact of changes in interest rates; however, the Company entered into no such instruments during the three-year period ended September 30, 2020. The Company held various financial instruments as of September 30, 2020 and 2019, consisting of financial assets and liabilities reported in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and off-balance sheet exposures resulting from letters of credit issued for the benefit of Alico.

Interest Rate Risk - The Company is subject to interest rate risk management policies where appropriate.

Communications with Directors
Shareholdersfrom the utilization of financial instruments such as term loan debt and other interested parties may communicate withborrowings. The Company’s primary long-term obligations are fixed rate debts subject to fair value risk due to interest rate fluctuations. The Company believes that the Boardcarrying value of Directorsour long-term debt approximates fair value given the stability of market interest rates.

The Company is also subject to interest rate risk on its variable rate debt. A one-percentage-point increase in prevailing interest rates would have increased interest expense on our variable rate debt obligations by forwarding written commentsapproximately $424,000 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020.

Foreign-Exchange Rate Risk - The Company currently has no exposure to foreign-exchange rate risk because all of its financial transactions are denominated in U.S. dollars.

Commodity Price Risk - The Company has no financial instruments subject to commodity price risk.

Equity Security Price Risk - None of the Company’s financial instruments have potential exposure to equity security price risk.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data


Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

Page

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

42

Consolidated Financial Statements:

Consolidated Balance Sheets

43

Consolidated Statements of Operations

44

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

45

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

46

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

47

All schedules are omitted for the reason that they are not applicable or the required information is included in the financial statements or notes.


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Alico, Inc., 10070 Daniels Interstate Court, Suite 100, Fort Myers, Florida 33913. The Company's contact information and procedures are also included

Opinions on the Company’s website at http://www.alicoinc.com.

BoardFinancial Statements and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Directors Meetings

The BoardAlico, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of Directors met four times during fiscal year 2018. Each Director attended allSeptember 30, 2020 and 2019, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the Board of Directors meetingsthree years in the period ended September 30, 2020, and committee meetings held by all committees on which they served. It isthe related notes (collectively, the financial statements). We also have audited the Company’s policy to strongly encourage its Directors to attendinternal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Annual MeetingCommittee of shareholders, in addition to attendance at regular Board of Directors and committee meetings. AllSponsoring Organizations of the Directors attended the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, either telephonically orTreadway Commission in person.



Item 11. Executive Compensation

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis discusses the compensation program provided to2013.

In our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs") in fiscal year 2018 and describes the compensation philosophy on which the fiscal year 2018 compensation was based. In fiscal year 2018, our NEOs were: George R. Brokaw, John E. Kiernan, Richard Rallo, James Sampel, Henry R. Slack and Remy W. Trafelet.


The Company’s compensation philosophy and program design is intended to support the Company’s business strategy and align executives’ interests with those of shareholders and employees. A significant portion of the Company’s executive compensation opportunity is related to factors that influence shareholder value, including return on assets, long-term stock performance, and operational performance. The Company believes that as an executive’s responsibilities increase, so should the proportion of his or her total pay comprised of variable compensation and tied to long-term shareholder value creation.

Say on Pay Vote

The Company implemented the Stock Incentive Plan of 2015 following approval by shareholders at the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The plan includes a clawback provision and prohibits stock option repricing.

At the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, our shareholders expressed their support of our executive compensation philosophy and program by approving the non-binding advisory vote on our executive compensation. Approximately 94% of votes cast supported our executive compensation policies and practices.

The Compensation Committee regularly reviews best practices related to executive compensation to ensure consistency with the Company's compensation philosophy. Consistent with this philosophy and taking into account business results, the following executive compensation practices were in place for fiscal year 2018:

total compensation levels for executives were generally positioned at or below the median (50th percentile) of the market;
discussions with compensation consultants were used to provide a reference point in the evaluation of executive compensation;
modest perquisites for executives; and
historical share awards have generally been paid from treasury stock, subject to availability.

Executive Compensation Program and Philosophy

The intent of the Company’s executive compensation program is to attract and retain talent and to create incentives for and reward excellent performance. To that end, we seek to compensate our executives in a manner that:

is competitive;
rewards performance that creates shareholder value and recognizes individual contribution; and
encourages longer-term value creation.

Each year, the Compensation Committee reviews the Company’s financial performance and evaluates each executive’s role in influencing such performance to determine if, and to what extent, each NEO’s individual contribution merited discretionary compensation. The Compensation Committee utilizes quantitative and qualitative factors, including the accomplishment of initiatives, attitude, and leadership, to assess performance, taking into accountopinion, the financial conditionstatements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2020 and 2019, and the contributionresults of their operations and their cash flows for each of the NEOsyears in the contextthree-year period ended September 30, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of relevant conditions. Conditions may include many factors beyondAmerica. Also in our opinion, the executive’sCompany maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control suchover financial reporting as weather, commodity prices, and strategic opportunities.

Compensation Consultants

The Compensationof September 30, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors for all aspects of executive compensation, including the structure and designSponsoring Organizations of the compensation program. Treadway Commission in 2013.

Basis for Opinions

The Compensation CommitteeCompany's management is responsible for retainingthese financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and terminating compensation consultantsfor its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements and determiningan opinion on the termsCompany's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and conditions of their engagement. The Compensation Committee, from timeare required to time, has engaged Semler Brossy Consulting Group, LLC to advise the Compensation Committeebe independent with respect to the Company’s compensation programCompany in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to perform various related studiesobtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and projects. The Compensation Committee reviewedwhether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audits of the rolefinancial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its compensation consultantsinherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ RSM US LLP

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2007.

Orlando, Florida

December 8, 2020


ALICO, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share amounts)

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

3,163

 

 

$

18,630

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

4,347

 

 

 

713

 

Inventories

 

 

40,855

 

 

 

40,143

 

Income tax receivable

 

 

781

 

 

 

 

Assets held for sale

 

 

1,366

 

 

 

1,442

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

1,387

 

 

 

1,049

 

Total current assets

 

 

51,899

 

 

 

61,977

 

Restricted cash

 

 

16,524

 

 

 

5,208

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

350,061

 

 

 

345,648

 

Goodwill

 

 

2,246

 

 

 

2,246

 

Other non-current assets

 

 

3,207

 

 

 

2,309

 

Total assets

 

$

423,937

 

 

$

417,388

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

3,533

 

 

$

4,163

 

Accrued liabilities

 

 

7,095

 

 

 

7,769

 

Long-term debt, current portion

 

 

9,145

 

 

 

5,338

 

Deferred retirement obligations, current portion

 

 

 

 

 

5,226

 

Income taxes payable

 

 

 

 

5,536

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

1,385

 

 

 

919

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

21,158

 

 

 

28,951

 

Long-term debt:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal amount, net of current portion

 

 

139,106

 

 

 

158,111

 

Less: deferred financing costs, net

 

 

(1,151

)

 

 

(1,369

)

Long-term debt less current portion and deferred financing costs, net

 

 

137,955

 

 

 

156,742

 

Lines of credit

 

 

2,942

 

 

 

 

Deferred income tax liabilities, net

 

 

39,728

 

 

 

32,125

 

Other liabilities

 

 

372

 

 

 

172

 

Total liabilities

 

 

202,155

 

 

 

217,990

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 15)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders' equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, no par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; 0ne issued

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $1.00 par value, 15,000,000 shares authorized; 8,416,145 shares issued and 7,492,524 and 7,476,513 shares outstanding at September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively

 

 

8,416

 

 

 

8,416

 

Additional paid in capital

 

 

19,685

 

 

 

19,781

 

Treasury stock, at cost, 923,621 and 939,632 shares held at September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively

 

 

(30,779

)

 

 

(31,943

)

Retained earnings

 

 

219,019

 

 

 

198,049

 

Total Alico stockholders' equity

 

 

216,341

 

 

 

194,303

 

Noncontrolling interest

 

 

5,441

 

 

 

5,095

 

Total stockholders' equity

 

 

221,782

 

 

 

199,398

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 

$

423,937

 

 

$

417,388

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.


ALICO, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Operating revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alico Citrus

 

$

89,369

 

 

$

119,031

 

 

$

78,121

 

Land Management and Other Operations

 

 

3,138

 

 

 

3,220

 

 

 

3,160

 

Total operating revenues

 

 

92,507

 

 

 

122,251

 

 

 

81,281

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alico Citrus

 

 

72,281

 

 

 

59,594

 

 

 

51,709

 

Land Management and Other Operations

 

 

2,307

 

 

 

2,297

 

 

 

3,979

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

74,588

 

 

 

61,891

 

 

 

55,688

 

Gross profit

 

 

17,919

 

 

 

60,360

 

 

 

25,593

 

General and administrative expenses

 

 

10,998

 

 

 

15,146

 

 

 

15,058

 

Income from operations

 

 

6,921

 

 

 

45,214

 

 

 

10,535

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment and interest income, net

 

 

98

 

 

 

49

 

 

 

39

 

Interest expense

 

 

(5,981

)

 

 

(7,180

)

 

 

(8,561

)

Gain on sale of real estate, property and equipment and assets held for sale

 

 

30,424

 

 

 

13,166

 

 

 

11,041

 

Change in fair value of derivatives

 

 

 

 

(989

)

 

 

 

Other (expense) income, net

 

 

(85

)

 

 

(27

)

 

 

136

 

Total other income, net

 

 

24,456

 

 

 

5,019

 

 

 

2,655

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

31,377

 

 

 

50,233

 

 

 

13,190

 

Income tax provision

 

 

7,663

 

 

 

12,783

 

 

 

390

 

Net income

 

 

23,714

 

 

 

37,450

 

 

 

12,800

 

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

(52

)

 

 

383

 

 

 

250

 

Net income attributable to Alico, Inc. common stockholders

 

$

23,662

 

 

$

37,833

 

 

$

13,050

 

Per share information attributable to Alico, Inc. common stockholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

3.16

 

 

$

5.06

 

 

$

1.59

 

Diluted

 

$

3.16

 

 

$

5.05

 

 

$

1.57

 

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

7,484

 

 

 

7,472

 

 

 

8,232

 

Diluted

 

 

7,496

 

 

 

7,493

 

 

 

8,301

 

Cash dividends declared per common share

 

$

0.36

 

 

$

0.24

 

 

$

0.24

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.


ALICO, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(in thousands)

 

 

Common stock

 

 

Additional

Paid-In

 

 

Treasury

 

 

Retained

 

 

Total

Alico, Inc.

 

 

Non-

controlling

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Capital

 

 

Stock

 

 

Earnings

 

 

Equity

 

 

Interest

 

 

Equity

 

September 30, 2017

 

 

8,416

 

 

$

8,416

 

 

$

18,694

 

 

$

(6,502

)

 

$

140,033

 

 

$

160,641

 

 

$

4,728

 

 

$

165,369

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,050

 

 

 

13,050

 

 

 

(250

)

 

 

12,800

 

Dividends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,972

)

 

 

(1,972

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,972

)

Treasury stock purchases

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,215

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,215

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,215

)

Capital contribution received from noncontrolling interest funding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,000

 

 

 

1,000

 

Stock-based compensation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Directors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(322

)

 

 

1,181

 

 

 

 

 

 

859

 

 

 

 

 

 

859

 

Executives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,754

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,754

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,754

 

September 30, 2018

 

 

8,416

 

 

 

8,416

 

 

 

20,126

 

 

 

(7,536

)

 

 

151,111

 

 

 

172,117

 

 

 

5,478

 

 

 

177,595

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

37,833

 

 

 

37,833

 

 

 

(383

)

 

 

37,450

 

Dividends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,792

)

 

 

(1,792

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,792

)

Treasury stock purchases

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(25,576

)

 

 

 

 

 

(25,576

)

 

 

 

 

 

(25,576

)

ASC 610-20 adoption

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,897

 

 

 

10,897

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,897

 

Stock-based compensation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Directors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(300

)

 

 

1,169

 

 

 

 

 

 

869

 

 

 

 

 

 

869

 

Executives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

778

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

778

 

 

 

 

 

 

778

 

Executive forfeiture

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(823

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(823

)

 

 

 

 

 

(823

)

September 30, 2019

 

 

8,416

 

 

 

8,416

 

 

 

19,781

 

 

 

(31,943

)

 

 

198,049

 

 

 

194,303

 

 

 

5,095

 

 

 

199,398

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23,662

 

 

 

23,662

 

 

 

52

 

 

 

23,714

 

Dividends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,692

)

 

 

(2,692

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,692

)

Treasury stock purchases

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(238

)

 

 

 

 

 

(238

)

 

 

 

 

 

(238

)

Capital contribution received from noncontrolling interest funding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

294

 

 

 

294

 

Stock-based compensation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Directors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(669

)

 

 

1,402

 

 

 

 

 

 

733

 

 

 

 

 

 

733

 

Executives and managers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

573

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

573

 

 

 

 

 

 

573

 

September 30, 2020

 

 

8,416

 

 

$

8,416

 

 

$

19,685

 

 

$

(30,779

)

 

$

219,019

 

 

$

216,341

 

 

$

5,441

 

 

$

221,782

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.


ALICO, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

23,714

 

 

$

37,450

 

 

$

12,800

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred gain on sale of sugarcane land

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(967

)

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

14,520

 

 

 

13,924

 

 

 

13,756

 

Deferred income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

7,603

 

 

 

3,267

 

 

 

(1,955

)

Cash surrender value

 

 

(10

)

 

 

11

 

 

 

(27

)

Deferred retirement benefits

 

 

(5,226

)

 

 

829

 

 

 

(41

)

Gain on sale of real estate, property and equipment and assets held for sale

 

 

(30,424

)

 

 

(13,166

)

 

 

(10,281

)

Inventory net realizable value adjustment

 

 

 

 

808

 

 

 

1,115

 

Loss on disposal of property and equipment

 

 

659

 

 

 

 

 

 

207

 

Change in fair value of derivatives

 

 

 

 

989

 

 

 

 

Impairment of long-lived assets

 

 

1,321

 

 

 

396

 

 

 

2,234

 

Impairment of right-of-use-asset

 

 

87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash interest expense on deferred gain on sugarcane land

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,361

 

Insurance proceeds received for damage to property and equipment

 

 

 

 

(486

)

 

 

(477

)

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

1,306

 

 

 

824

 

 

 

2,613

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

29

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(3,634

)

 

 

1,531

 

 

 

1,718

 

Inventories

 

 

(712

)

 

 

82

 

 

 

(6,554

)

Prepaid expenses

 

 

(135

)

 

 

(211

)

 

 

177

 

Income tax receivable

 

 

(781

)

 

 

15

 

 

 

(15

)

Other assets

 

 

(839

)

 

 

288

 

 

 

23

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

 

(1,530

)

 

 

(1,113

)

 

 

2,987

 

Income tax payable

 

 

(5,536

)

 

 

3,216

 

 

 

2,320

 

Other liabilities

 

 

666

 

 

 

178

 

 

 

(2,445

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

1,049

 

 

 

48,832

 

 

 

18,578

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

 

(21,705

)

 

 

(20,000

)

 

 

(16,352

)

Net proceeds from sale of real estate, property and equipment and assets held for sale

 

 

31,541

 

 

 

14,602

 

 

 

39,780

 

Insurance proceeds received for damage to property and equipment

 

 

 

 

486

 

 

 

477

 

Change in deposits on purchase of citrus trees

 

 

(458

)

 

 

(108

)

 

 

(431

)

Advances on notes receivables, net

 

 

136

 

 

 

60

 

 

 

(575

)

Other

 

 

(25

)

 

 

 

 

 

25

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

 

9,489

 

 

 

(4,960

)

 

 

22,924

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repayments on revolving lines of credit

 

 

(114,581

)

 

 

(89,231

)

 

 

(25,600

)

Borrowings on revolving lines of credit

 

 

117,523

 

 

 

86,546

 

 

 

28,285

 

Principal payments on term loans

 

 

(15,198

)

 

 

(10,900

)

 

 

(12,127

)

Treasury stock purchases

 

 

(238

)

 

 

(25,576

)

 

 

(2,215

)

Payment on termination of sugarcane agreement

 

 

 

 

(11,300

)

 

 

 

Dividends paid

 

 

(2,466

)

 

 

(1,833

)

 

 

(1,972

)

Deferred financing costs

 

 

(23

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital contribution received from noncontrolling interest

 

 

294

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,000

 

Capital lease obligation payments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

 

(14,689

)

 

 

(52,294

)

 

 

(12,637

)

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

 

(4,151

)

 

 

(8,422

)

 

 

28,865

 

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of the period

 

 

23,838

 

 

 

32,260

 

 

 

3,395

 

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of the period

 

$

19,687

 

 

$

23,838

 

 

$

32,260

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest, net of amount capitalized

 

$

5,614

 

 

$

6,940

 

 

$

6,721

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 

$

6,403

 

 

$

6,285

 

 

$

25

 

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividend declared but unpaid

 

$

674

 

 

$

449

 

 

$

492

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.


ALICO, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1. Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

Description of Business

Alico, Inc., together with its subsidiaries (collectively, “Alico”, the “Company", "we", "us" or "our”), is a Florida agribusiness and land management company owning approximately 100,000 acres of land throughout Florida, holding mineral rights on approximately 90,000 of those owned acres. The Company manages its land based upon its primary usage, and reviews its performance based upon 2 primary classifications: (i) Alico Citrus and (ii) Land Management and Other Operations. Financial results are presented based upon its 2 business segments (Alico Citrus and Land Management and Other Operations). 

Basis of Presentation

The Company has concludedprepared the accompanying financial statements on a consolidated basis. These accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements, which are referred to herein as the “Financial Statements”, have been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). All significant intercompany transactions and account balances between the consolidated businesses have been eliminated.

Segments

Operating segments are defined in the criteria established under the Financial Accounting Standards Board - Accounting Standards Codification (“FASB ASC”) Topic 280 as components of public entities that no conflictengage in business activities from which they may earn revenues and incur expenses for which separate financial information is available and which is evaluated regularly by the Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) in deciding how to assess performance and allocate resources. The Company’s CODM assesses performance and allocates resources based on two operating segments: (i) Alico Citrus and (ii) Land Management and Other Operations.

Principles of Consolidation

The Financial Statements include the accounts of Alico and the accounts of all the subsidiaries in which a controlling interest exists with Semler Brossy Consulting



Group,is held by the Company. Under U.S. GAAP, consolidation is generally required for investments of more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock of an investee, except when control is not held by the majority owner. The Company’s subsidiaries include: Alico Land Development, Inc., Alico-Agri, Ltd., Alico Plant World, LLC, Alico Fruit Company, LLC, Alico Citrus Nursery, LLC, Alico Chemical Sales, LLC, 734 Citrus Holdings, LLC and further believessubsidiaries, Alico Fresh Fruit, LLC, Alico Skink Mitigation, LLC and Citree Holdings 1, LLC (“Citree”). The Company considers the criteria established under FASB ASC Topic 810, “Consolidations” in its consolidation process. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that Semler Brossy Consulting Group, LLC is independent foraffect the purposereported amounts of providing ongoing recommendations regarding executive compensation.


Pay Mix

As noted above,assets and liabilities as of the Compensation Committee believes that a significant portiondate of each executive’s compensation opportunity should be comprisedthe accompanying Financial Statements, the disclosure of variable compensationcontingent assets and tied to value creation for shareholders. The Compensation Committee believes that this mix provides an appropriate balance betweenliabilities in the fixed compensation required to attract and retain qualified individualsFinancial Statements and the Compensation Committee’s goalaccompanying Notes, and the reported amounts of ensuring that executive compensation rewards performance that benefits shareholders overrevenues and expenses and cash flows during the long term.

Base Salaries

Base salaries for the Company’s NEOsperiods presented. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company evaluates estimates on an ongoing basis. The estimates are based on their scope of responsibilities, educationcurrent and training levels, leadership abilities, performanceexpected economic conditions, historical experience, the experience and specialized skills. Determination of salaries is based on the Company’s financial performance, overall financial condition, individual performance, and the current competitive market environment, and may include a reviewjudgment of the Company’s peer groupmanagement and various other relevant data. Becausespecific assumptions that the Compensation Committee wishesCompany believes to incentivize executives with pay for performance, base salary levelsbe reasonable.

Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Subsidiary

The Financial Statements include all assets and liabilities of the less-than-100%-owned subsidiary the Company are generally lower thancontrols, Citree. Accordingly, the market median.


Annual salary ratesCompany has recorded a noncontrolling interest in the equity of such entity. Citree had net income of $107,051 for the NEOsfiscal year ended September 30, 2020 and net losses of $781,783, and $511,854 for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, of which $54,596 of net income and $398,709 and $261,046 of net losses was attributable to the Company for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The shift to net income for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 was the result of reimbursements received under the federal relief program relating to Hurricane Irma, aggregating approximately $493,000.


Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles-Goodwill and 2016 are summarizedOther” (Topic 350), which simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment. The updated guidance eliminates Step 2 of the impairment test, which requires entities to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill to measure a goodwill impairment charge. Instead, entities will record an impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value, determined in Step 1. This guidance will become effective for us in the table below:


NEOFY 2018
FY 2017
FY 2016
Remy W. Trafelet$400,000
$400,000
N/A
Henry R. Slack$
$250,000
N/A
George R. Brokaw$
$250,000
N/A
John E. Kiernan$360,000
$360,000
$325,000
Richard Rallo, CPA$225,000
$225,000
N/A
James Sampel$200,000
$200,000
$200,000

Annual Discretionary Cash Bonuses

fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those reporting periods. We will adopt this guidance using a prospective approach. Earlier adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2017-04 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and will adopt the standard effective October 1, 2020.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurements” (ASU 2018-13), which aims to improve the overall usefulness of disclosures to financial statement users and reduce unnecessary costs to companies when preparing fair value measurement disclosures. ASU 2018-13 is effective for annual and interim periods in the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. Retrospective adoption is required, except for certain disclosures, which will be required to be applied prospectively for only the most recent interim or annual period presented in the initial fiscal year of adoption. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2018-13 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and will adopt the standard effective October 1, 2020.

In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-19, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses.” ASU 2018-19 clarifies that receivables arising from operating leases are not within the scope of Subtopic 326-20. Instead, impairment of receivables arising from operating leases should be accounted for in accordance with Leases (Topic 842). The standard is effective for the Company on October 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2018-19 to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in the existing guidance for income taxes and making other minor improvements. The amendments in the ASU are effective for the Company on October 1, 2021. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2019-12 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and will adopt the standard effective October 1, 2021.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides temporary optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate reform. The Company’s floating rate notes and variable funding notes bear interest at fluctuating interest rates based on LIBOR. If LIBOR ceases to exist, the Company may need to renegotiate its loan agreements and the Company cannot predict what alternative index would be negotiated with its lenders. ASU 2020-04 is currently effective and upon adoption may be applied prospectively to contract modifications made on or before December 31, 2022. The Company is currently assessing the impact of adopting this standard and the impact on its consolidated financial statements.

The Company has an annual discretionary cash bonus program (the “discretionary bonus program”). The Compensation Committee works closely with the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to evaluate the Company’s financial performance and overall financial conditionreviewed other recently issued accounting standards which have not yet been adopted in order to determine whethertheir potential effect, if any, on the results of operations or not discretionary bonuses are to be paid for the particular fiscal year.


When the Compensation Committee determines that the interests of the Company and its shareholders would be served by the payment of discretionary bonuses, the Compensation Committee considers the individual performance of each executive and his or her role in influencing Company performance and the financial condition of the Company. In the case of NEOs other than the CEO, these evaluations are based in part on input from the Company’s CEO regarding each executive’s performance. All Compensation Committee actions regarding the discretionary bonuses are subject to the review and approval of the Board of Directors.

On September 4, 2018, the Compensation Committee approved the eligibility of Messrs. Trafelet and Kiernan for a 2018 annual bonus of up to $550,000 (in the case of Mr. Trafelet) and no less than $125,000 (for Mr. Kiernan), as determined by the Compensation Committee, based on its discretionary evaluation of their performance, and payable by the Company in a cash lump sum in accordance with its normal payroll practices no later than December 31, 2018, subject to their continued employment with the Company through the payment date.



condition. Based on the Company’sreview of these other recently issued standards, the Company does not currently believe that any of those accounting pronouncements will have a significant effect on its current or future financial position, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, and subsequently issued several supplemental and/or clarifying ASU’s (collectively, “ASC 606”), which prescribes a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard that supersedes previously existing revenue recognition guidance. The new model provides a five-step analysis in determining when and how revenue is recognized. The core principle of the new guidance is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard also requires new, expanded disclosures regarding revenue recognition. The standard allows initial application to be performed retrospectively to each period presented or as a modified retrospective adjustment as of the date of adoption. ASC 606 also provides for certain practical expedients, including the option to expense as incurred the incremental costs of obtaining a contract, if the contract period is for one year or less, and policy elections regarding shipping and handling that provides the option to account for shipping and handling costs as contract fulfillment costs. The Company adopted ASC 606 effective October 1, 2018, the first day of its 2019 fiscal year, using the modified retrospective method. The implementation of ASC 606 did not require an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of October 1, 2018 the Compensation Committee approved discretionary bonuses as follows:

ExecutivePayout
% of Salary
Remy W. Trafelet$550,000
138%
John E. Kiernan$545,000
151%
Richard Rallo, CPA$90,000
40%
James Sampel$60,000
30%
(see Note 2. “Revenue Recognition”).


In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-05, “Other Income - Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets” (ASC 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets. This standard clarifies the scope and application of ASC 610-20 on the sale, transfer, and derecognition of nonfinancial assets and in substance nonfinancial assets to non-customers, including partial sales. It also provides guidance on how gains and losses on transfers of nonfinancial assets and in substance nonfinancial assets to non-customers are recognized. The Compensation Committee believes that these discretionary bonuses are consistent withstandard also clarifies the Company’s fiscal year 2018 financial performance, reflect the competitive market, and are appropriate toderecognition of businesses is under the scope of responsibility and contribution made by each NEO.


Also on September 4,ASC 810. The standard was required to be adopted concurrently with ASC 606, however an entity did not have to apply the same transition method as ASC 606. The Company adopted ASC 610-20 (“ASC 610-20”) effective October 1, 2018, the Compensation Committee approved an aggregate bonus pool for Messrs. Trafelet and Kiernan forfirst day of its 2019 fiscal year, 2019using the modified retrospective method. The implementation of no less than $600,000 and no more than $2.35 million. The actual amount earned underASC 610-20 resulted in an adjustment to increase the 2019 bonus pool will be allocated 70% to Mr. Trafelet and 30% to Mr. Kiernan.

Equity Compensation

On September 7, 2018, Mr. Trafelet was granted a stock option to purchase 210,000 sharesopening balance of Alico common stock and Mr. Kiernan was granted a stock option to purchase 90,000 sharesretained earnings by $10,897,000, net of Alico common stock. These stock options shall vesttaxes, as follows: (a) 25% will vest if the fair market value of a share of Alico common stock exceeds $35.00 for 20 consecutive trading days; (b) 25% will vest if the fair market value of a share of Alico common stock exceeds $40.00 for 20 consecutive trading days; (c) 25% will vest if the fair market value of a share of Alico common stock exceeds $45.00 for 20 consecutive trading days; and (d) 25% will vest if the fair market value of a share of Alico common stock exceeds $50.00 for 20 consecutive trading days.

In connection with the grants to Messrs. Trafelet and Kiernan described above, each of Messrs. Slack and Brokaw (who held mirror outstanding stock options) agreed to forfeit a portion of their outstanding stock options as follows:

18,750 options with vesting price of $60.00;
56,250 options with vesting price of $75.00;
56,250 options with vesting price of $90.00; and
56,250 options with vesting price of $105.00.

October 1, 2018. As a result of the Compensation Committee’s overall assessmentASU 610-20, guidance specific to real estate sales in ASC 360-20 will be eliminated. As such, sales and partial sales of real estate assets will now be subject to the same derecognition model as all other nonfinancial assets.

The ASU 610-20 will also impact the accounting for partial sales of nonfinancial assets (including in substance real estate). When an entity transfers its controlling interest in a nonfinancial asset, but retains a noncontrolling ownership interest, the entity will measure the retained interest at fair value. This will result in full gain/loss recognition upon the sale of a controlling interest in a nonfinancial asset. Current guidance generally prohibits gain recognition on the retained interest.

The ASU 610-20 was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those years and thus was effective for the Company for our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2018. The ASU 610-20 will be applied prospectively to any transaction occurring from the date of adoption. The Company adopted ASU 360-20 effective October 1, 2018. The new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as it relates to the deferred gain on the sale of the Company’s performance duringsugarcane lands (see Note 8. “Deferred Gain on Sale”).

In August 2016, the priorFASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230).” This ASU will provide guidance on the presentation and classification of specific cash flow items to improve consistency within the statement of cash flows. This ASU is effective for the Company for our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2019 with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2016-15 effective September 30, 2019 and the Compensation Committee determinedimpact under this ASU is that additional option grants for Messrs. Trafeletthe Company reported certain proceeds from insurance claims relating to property and Kiernan were appropriate to properly incentivize management.


Retirement Benefits

Executives are allowed to participateequipment in the statement of cash flows as investing activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” This guidance requires entities that sign leases as a lessee to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for those leases classified as operating leases under previous U.S. GAAP. The accounting applied by a lessor is largely unchanged from that applied under previous U.S. GAAP. The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 on October 1, 2019.

The Company determines whether an arrangement is a lease at inception. The Company’s tax-qualified 401(k)leases consist of operating lease arrangements for certain office space, tractor leases and profit sharing plan offered to all full-time employees. Under the plan,IT facilities. When these lease arrangements include lease and non-lease components, the Company providesaccounts for lease components and non-lease components (e.g. common area maintenance) separately based on their relative standalone prices.

Any lease arrangements with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, and it recognizes lease cost for these lease arrangements on a matching contributionstraight-line basis over the lease term. Many lease arrangements provide the options to exercise one or more renewal terms or to terminate the lease arrangement. The Company includes these options when it will be reasonably certain to exercise them in the lease term used to establish the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. Generally, lease agreements do not include an option to purchase the leased asset, residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.

As most of upour lease arrangements do not provide an implicit interest rate, the Company applies an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date of the lease arrangement to 4%determine the present value of lease payments.

No lease costs associated with finance leases and sale-leaseback transactions occurred and our lease income associated with lessor and sublease arrangements are not material to our Consolidated Financial Statements.


Our operating leases are reported in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows:

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

Operating lease components

 

Classification

 

2020

 

Right-of-use assets

 

Other non-current assets

 

$

774

 

Current lease liabilities

 

Other current liabilities

 

$

512

 

Non-current lease liabilities

 

Other liabilities

 

$

356

 

Our operating leases cost components are reported in our Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows:

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

Operating lease components

 

Classification

 

2020

 

Operating lease costs

 

General and administrative expenses

 

$

246

 

Operating lease right-of-use asset impairment

 

Other expense

 

$

87

 

Future maturities of our operating lease obligations as of September 30, 2020 by fiscal year are as follows:

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

2021

 

 

 

$

519

 

2022

 

 

 

 

324

 

2023

 

 

 

 

48

 

Total noncancelable future lease obligations

 

 

 

$

891

 

Less: Interest

 

 

 

 

(24

)

Present value of lease obligations

 

 

 

$

867

 

The weighted-average remaining lease term and weighted-average discount rate for our operating leases are as follows:

September 30,

2020

Weighted-average remaining lease term

1.61 years

Weighted-average discount rate

3.1

%

Cash flow information related to leases consists of the following:

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

2020

 

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating cash flows from operating leases

 

 

 

$

247

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating leases

 

 

 

$

1,095

 

The COVID-19 Pandemic

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the current novel coronavirus outbreak (“COVID-19”) to be a global pandemic. In response to this declaration and the rapid spread of COVID-19 within the United States, federal, state and local governments throughout the country have imposed varying degrees of restrictions on social and commercial activity to promote social distancing in an effort to slow the spread of the illness. These measures have had a significant adverse impact upon many sectors of the economy, including certain agriculture businesses. To date, the Company has experienced no material adverse impact from this pandemic.


Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified in the accompanying Financial Statements for consistent presentation to the current period. These reclassifications had no impact on net income, equity, cash flows or working capital as previously reported.

Seasonality

The Company is primarily engaged in the production of fruit for sale to citrus markets, which is of a participating employee’s eligible compensation. Additionally,seasonal nature, and subject to the influence of natural phenomena and wide price fluctuations. Historically, the second and third quarters of Alico's fiscal year produce the majority of the Company's annual discretionary contributions,revenue. Working capital requirements are typically greater in the first and fourth quarters of the fiscal year, coinciding with harvesting cycles. Because of the seasonality of the business, results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for the full fiscal year.

Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Revenue Recognition

Revenues are derived from the sale of processed fruit, fresh fruit, other citrus revenue, leasing revenue and other resource revenues. The majority of the revenue is generated from the sale of citrus fruit to processing facilities, fresh fruit sales and grove management services.

For fruit sales, the Company recognizes revenue at the amount it expects to be entitled to be paid, determined when control of the products or services is transferred to its customers, which occurs upon delivery of and acceptance of the fruit by the customer and the Company has a right to payment.

The Company has identified one performance obligation as the delivery of fruit to the processing facility (or harvesting of the citrus in the case of fresh fruit) of the customer for each separate variety of fruit identified in the contract. The Company initially recognizes revenue in an amount which is estimated based on contractual and market prices, if such market price falls within the range (known as “floor” and “ceiling” prices) identified in the specific contracts. Additionally, the Company also has a percentagecontractual agreement whereby revenue is determined based on applying a cost-plus structure methodology. As such, since these contracts contain elements of salary determinedvariable consideration, the Company recognizes this variable consideration by using the expected value method. On a quarterly basis, management reviews the reasonableness of the revenues accrued based on buyers’ and processors’ advances to growers, cash and futures markets and experience in the industry. Adjustments are made throughout the year to these estimates as more current relevant industry information becomes available. Differences between the estimates and the final realization of revenues at the Boardclose of Directors’ sole discretion, may be contributed pursuantthe harvesting season can result in either an increase or decrease to reported revenues. During the periods presented, no material adjustments were made to the qualified profit-sharingreported citrus revenues.

Receivables under contracts, whereby pricing is based on contractual and market prices, are primarily paid at the floor amount and are collected within seven days after the harvest week. Any adjustments to pricing as a result of changes in market prices are collected or paid thirty to sixty days after final market pricing is published. Receivables under contracts, whereby pricing is based off a cost-plus structure methodology, are paid at the final prior year rate. Any adjustments to pricing as a result of the cost-plus calculation are collected or paid upon finalization of the calculation and agreement by both parties. As of September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company had total receivables relating to sales of citrus of $584,000 and $160,000, respectively, recorded in Accounts Receivable, net, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

For grove management services, the Company has identified one performance obligation relating to the management of the third party’s groves. Grove management services include caretaking of the citrus groves, harvesting and hauling of citrus, management and coordination of citrus sales and other related activities. The Company is reimbursed for expenses incurred in the execution of its management duties and the Company receives a per acre management fee. The Company recognizes operating revenue, including a management fee, and corresponding operating expenses when services are rendered and consumed.


Disaggregated Revenue

Revenues disaggregated by significant products and services for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018 are as follows:

(in thousands)

 

Fiscal Year Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Alico Citrus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Early and Mid-Season

 

$

31,303

 

 

$

39,574

 

 

$

24,309

 

Valencias

 

 

50,060

 

 

 

73,480

 

 

 

48,865

 

Fresh fruit

 

 

2,321

 

 

 

3,629

 

 

 

2,054

 

Grove management services

 

 

4,599

 

 

 

1,342

 

 

 

1,808

 

Other

 

 

1,086

 

 

 

1,006

 

 

 

1,085

 

Total

 

$

89,369

 

 

$

119,031

 

 

$

78,121

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land Management and Other Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land and other leasing

 

$

2,683

 

 

$

2,787

 

 

$

2,595

 

Sale of calves and culls

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

57

 

Other

 

 

455

 

 

 

433

 

 

 

508

 

Total

 

$

3,138

 

 

$

3,220

 

 

$

3,160

 

Total Revenues

 

$

92,507

 

 

$

122,251

 

 

$

81,281

 

During the time that Alico was engaged in the business of raising and selling cattle, Alico recognized revenues from cattle sales at the time the cattle were delivered.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their fair values due to the short term and immediate nature of these financial instruments. The carrying amounts of the Company’s debt approximates fair value as the debt is with commercial lenders at interest rates that vary with market conditions or have fixed rates that approximate market rates for obligations with similar terms and maturities (see Note 8. “Fair Value Measurements”).

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers cash in banks and highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash and cash equivalents. At various times throughout the fiscal year, and as of September 30, 2020, some accounts held at financial institutions were in excess of the federally insured limit of $250,000. The Company has not experienced any losses on these accounts and believes credit risk to be minimal.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash is comprised of certain cash receipts from the sale of property which was being held specifically for the purpose of deferring a tax impact on the gain on sale of the property and other cash received from the sale of certain assets in which the use of funds were restricted.

In September 2020, the Company sold certain sections of the West Ranch, from which a portion of the plan. Therenet cash proceeds amounting to $16,524,000 were no discretionary contributions authorizedbeing held by a qualified intermediary in coordination to purchase a like-kind asset and defer a portion of the gain on sale of the ranch land. Such funds were included in restricted cash. In October 2020, the Company closed on a purchase of a like-kind asset and used all of these net cash proceeds which was being held by the intermediary (see Note 17. “Subsequent Events”).

For certain sales transactions, the Company sells property which serves as collateral for specific debt obligations. As a result, the sale proceeds are only permitted to be used to purchase like-kind citrus groves acceptable to the debt holder or to pay down existing debt obligations and thus are included in restricted cash. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, the Company utilized restricted cash of $1,800,000 towards the purchase of citrus groves. Such purchases are included as part of the collateral under certain debt obligations. Additionally, in November 2019, the Company utilized restricted cash to pay down existing debt, including outstanding interest on such debt, in the amount of $4,489,000. In July 2020, the remaining restricted cash of approximately $719,000 relating to collateral property under debt obligations, including interest earned in the account, was released without further obligation to the Company.


Accounts receivable

Accounts receivable from customers are generated from revenues based on the sale of citrus, grove management, leasing and other transactions. The Company grants credit in the course of its operations to third party customers. The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and generally does not require collateral. The Company provides an allowance for doubtful accounts for amounts which are not probable of collection. The estimate, evaluated quarterly by the Company, is based on historical collection experience, current macroeconomic climate and market conditions and a review of the current status of each customer’s account. Changes in the financial viability of significant customers and worsening of economic conditions may require changes to its estimate of the recoverability of the receivables. Such changes in estimates are recorded in the period in which these changes become known. The bad debt expense is included in general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The following table presents accounts receivable, net as of September 30, 2020 and 2019:

(in thousands)

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Accounts receivable

 

$

4,384

 

 

$

746

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

 

(37

)

 

 

(33

)

Accounts receivable, net

 

$

4,347

 

 

$

713

 

Concentrations

Accounts receivable from the Company’s major customer as of September 30, 2020 and 2019 and revenue from such customers for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, are as follows:

(in thousands)

 

Accounts Receivable

 

 

Revenue

 

 

% of Total Revenue

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Tropicana

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

80,388

 

 

$

108,318

 

 

$

70,396

 

 

 

86.9

%

 

 

88.6

%

 

 

86.6

%

The citrus industry is subject to various factors over which growers have limited or no control, including weather conditions, disease, pestilence, water supply and market price fluctuations. Market prices are highly sensitive to aggregate domestic and foreign crop sizes, as well as factors including, but not limited to, weather and competition from foreign countries.

Real Estate

In recognizing revenues from land sales, the Company applies specific revenue recognition criteria, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, to determine when land sales revenues can be recorded. For example, in order to fully recognize a gain resulting from a real estate transaction, the sale must be consummated with a sufficient down payment of at least 20% to 25% of the sales price depending upon the type and timeframe for development of the property sold and any receivable from the sale cannot be subject to future subordination. In addition, the seller cannot retain any material continuing involvement in the property sold. When these criteria are not met, the Company recognizes a gain proportionate to collections utilizing either the installment method or deposit method as appropriate.

Inventories

The costs of growing crops, including but not limited to labor, fertilization, fuel, crop nutrition, irrigation, and depreciation, are capitalized into inventory throughout the respective crop year. Such costs are expensed as cost of sales when the crops are harvested and are recorded as operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The cost for unharvested citrus crops is based on accumulated production costs incurred during the period from January 1 through the balance sheet date.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization. Major improvements are capitalized while expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed when incurred. Costs related to the development of citrus groves through planting of trees are capitalized. Such costs include land clearing, excavation and construction of ditches, dikes, roads, and reservoirs, among other costs. After the planting, caretaking costs or pre-productive maintenance costs are capitalized for 4 years. After 4 years, a planting is considered to have reached maturity and the accumulated costs are depreciated over 25 years, except for land clearing and excavation, which are considered costs of land and not depreciated.


Real estate costs incurred for the acquisition, development and construction of real estate projects are capitalized.

Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the depreciable assets, with the exception of leasehold improvements and assets acquired through capital leases, which are depreciated over their estimated useful lives if the lease transfers ownership or contains a bargain purchase option, otherwise the term of the lease.

The estimated useful lives for property and equipment are primarily as follows:

Citrus trees

25 years

Equipment and other facilities

3-20 years

Buildings and improvements

25-39 years

Changes in circumstances, such as technological advances or changes to our business model or capital strategy could result in the actual useful lives differing from the original estimates. In those cases where the Company determines that the useful life of property and equipment should be shortened, Alico depreciates the asset over its revised estimated remaining useful life, thereby increasing depreciation expense (see Note 5. “Property and Equipment, Net”).

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. The Company records impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations, or asset group, when events and circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired and the estimated cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) to be generated by those assets or asset group over the remaining lives of the assets or asset group are less than the carrying amounts of those assets. In calculating impairments and the estimated cash flows, the Company assigns its asset groups by determining the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows of the other Company assets. The net carrying values of assets or asset group not recoverable are reduced to their fair values. Alico's cash flow estimates are based on historical results adjusted to reflect best estimates of future market conditions and operating conditions. For fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded impairments to its long-lived assets (see Note 5. “Property and Equipment, Net”). As of September 30, 2020 and 2019, long-lived assets were comprised of property and equipment.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of acquired businesses over the fair value of the assets acquired less liabilities assumed in connection with such acquisition. In accordance with the provisions of ASC 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives acquired in an acquisition are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment at least annually, on the same date, or more frequently should an event occur or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may be impaired. Such events or circumstances may be a significant change in business climate, economic and industry trends, legal factors, negative operating performance indicators, significant competition, changes in strategy or disposition of a reporting unit or a portion thereof.

In the evaluation of goodwill for impairment, Alico has the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary or to perform a quantitative assessment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. Under the qualitative assessment, an entity is not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. If, under the quantitative assessment, the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the amount of the impairment loss, if any, must be measured under step two of the impairment analysis. In step two of the analysis, Alico would record an impairment loss equal to the excess of the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill over its implied fair value, should such a circumstance arise. As of September 30, 2020 and 2019, no impairment was required.

Other Non-Current Assets

Other non-current assets primarily include investments owned in agricultural cooperatives, cash surrender value on life insurance, and deposits on the purchase of citrus trees. Investments in stock related to agricultural cooperatives are carried at cost.


Income Taxes

The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for deferred income taxes. The provision for income taxes includes income taxes currently payable and those deferred as a result of temporary differences between the financial statements and the income tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted income tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in income tax rates on deferred income tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income or loss in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is provided to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount of future tax benefit when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Projected future taxable income and ongoing tax planning strategies are considered and evaluated when assessing the need for a valuation allowance. Any increase or decrease in a valuation allowance could have a material adverse or beneficial impact on the Company’s income tax provision and net income or loss in the period the determination is made. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded valuation allowances of $0, $0, and $5,634,000, respectively, relating to the unutilized capital loss carryforwards which expired. The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.

The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which a change in judgment occurs. The Company records interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share for the Company’s common stock is calculated by dividing net income attributable to Alico common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per common share is similarly calculated, except that the calculation includes the dilutive effect of the assumed issuance of shares of common stock issuable under equity-based compensation plans in accordance with the treasury stock method, or any other type of securities convertible into common stock, except where the inclusion of such common shares would have an anti-dilutive effect.

The following table presents a reconciliation of basic to diluted weighted average common shares outstanding for fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018:

(in thousands)

 

Fiscal Year Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding - Basic

 

 

7,484

 

 

 

7,472

 

 

 

8,232

 

Effect of dilutive securities - stock options and unrestricted stock

 

 

12

 

 

 

21

 

 

 

69

 

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted

 

 

7,496

 

 

 

7,493

 

 

 

8,301

 

For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, the Company issued 118,000, 10,000, and 300,000, respectively, stock options to certain executives and managers of the Company. Non-vested restricted shares of common stock entitle the holder to receive non-forfeitable dividends upon issuance and are included in the calculation of diluted earnings per common share.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation is measured based on the fair value of the equity award at the grant date and is typically expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Upon the vesting of restricted stock, the Company issues common stock from common shares held in treasury.

Total stock-based compensation expense for the three years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018 in general and administrative expense was as follows:

(in thousands)

 

Fiscal Year Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Stock-based compensation expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executives

 

$

497

 

 

$

778

 

 

$

1,754

 

Management

 

 

76

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive forfeitures

 

 

 

 

 

(823

)

 

 

 

Board of Directors

 

 

733

 

 

 

869

 

 

 

859

 

Total stock-based compensation expense

 

$

1,306

 

 

$

824

 

 

$

2,613

 


Note 3. Inventories

Inventories consist of the following at September 30, 2020 and 2019:

(in thousands)

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Unharvested fruit crop on the trees

 

$

40,265

 

 

$

39,276

 

Other

 

 

590

 

 

 

867

 

Total inventories

 

$

40,855

 

 

$

40,143

 

The Company records its inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value. For the fiscal year 2017. ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded adjustments of approximately $808,000 to reduce inventory to net realizable value. This adjustment to inventory is included in operating expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

In September 2017, the State of Florida’s citrus business, including the Company’s unharvested citrus crop, was significantly impacted by Hurricane Irma. The impact of Hurricane Irma resulted in the premature drop of unharvested fruit and damage to citrus trees.

The Company authorized 3% discretionary contributionsis eligible for Hurricane Irma federal relief programs for block grants that are being administered through the State of Florida. During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2016.


Health2019 and Welfare Benefits, Perquisites,for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, the Company received approximately $15,597,000 under the Florida Citrus Recovery Block Grant (“CRBG”) program. This represents the Part 1 and Other Fringe Benefits

a portion of the Part 2 reimbursement under the three-part program. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, the Company received additional proceeds of approximately $4,629,000 under the Florida CRBG program. This represented the remaining portion of Part 2 reimbursement under the three-part program. The Company’s executives receive healthtiming and amount to be received under Part 3 of the program has not been finalized. These federal relief proceeds are included as a reduction to operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, the Company received insurance benefits, suchproceeds relating to Hurricane Irma of approximately $486,000 in additional property and casualty claims reimbursement. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, the Company received insurance proceeds relating to Hurricane Irma of approximately $477,000 for property and casualty damage claims and approximately $8,952,000 for crop claims. These insurance proceeds are included as group medicala reduction to operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. There are no further property and lifecasualty or crop insurance claims pending relating to Hurricane Irma.

Note 4. Assets Held for Sale

In accordance with its strategy to dispose of non-core and under-performing assets, the following assets have been classified as assets held for sale as of September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019:

(in thousands)

 

Carrying Value

 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

East Ranch

 

$

1,366

 

 

$

1,442

 

Total Assets Held For Sale

 

$

1,366

 

 

$

1,442

 

On September 10, 2020, the State of Florida purchased, under plans generally availablethe Florida Forever program, approximately 10,702 acres of the Alico Ranch for approximately $28,500,000 pursuant to all salaried employees. Other fringe benefits consistan option agreement entered between the State of supplemental life insurance, Company-provided vehicles,Florida and housing allowances where appropriate.the Company. The Company does not ownrecognized a corporate jet or helicopter (or any interest therein) nor does it paygain of approximately $27,470,000, which is included in Gain on sale of real estate, property and equipment and assets held for country club dues or other such perquisites.




Compensation Risk Assessment

From time to time, a comprehensive assessment is conducted to identify potential risks withinsale in the Company’s compensation program.Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company does not use highly leveraged short-term incentives that could encourage short-term, high-risk strategiessubsequently used a portion of the net cash proceeds to purchase a like-kind asset in October 2020, which allowed the Company to defer a portion of the tax impact of the gain on sale of the ranch land (see Note 17. “Subsequent Events”).

On March 27, 2020, the Company sold certain sections at the expenseEast Ranch for approximately $2,980,000 and realized a gain of long-term performance and value. Furthermore, the Compensation Committee is heavily involved in making compensation decisions that are consistent with the Company’s business strategy. The Company’s compensation program promotes consistent, long-term performance by heavily weighting variable compensation so that it rewards executives for favorable operating and financial performance.


Employment Agreements

approximately $2,748,000. The Company entered into employment agreements with Mr. Kiernan duringsubsequently used substantially all of the net cash proceeds to purchase a like-kind asset in May 2020, which will allow the Company to defer substantially all of the tax impact of the gain on sale of the ranch land.

For the fiscal year 2015,ended September 30, 2019, the Company sold certain trailers for approximately $47,000, and with Messrs. Trafelet, Slackreclassified the remaining Assets Held for Sale to property and Brokawequipment, as management has determined not to offer the remaining trailers for sale.

On October 30, 2018, the Company sold certain parcels at the endFrostproof for approximately $206,000 and realized a gain of calendar year 2016. These employment agreements are intended to provide continuity and stability in the leadership of our organization, and generally provide for a minimum annual base salary, a target annual bonus, grants of company shares tied to long-term performance, severance upon a qualifying termination of employment, and restrictive covenants. The employment agreements are described in further detail in “Executive Compensation-Employment Agreements with Named Executive Officers” below.

approximately $12,000.


Indemnification Agreements

The

On May 2, 2018, the Company has entered into Indemnification Agreements with eachsold its Gal Hog property for approximately $7,300,000 and recognized a gain of approximately $6,709,000.

On February 12, 2018, the Company sold its officersproperty at Chancey Bay for approximately $4,200,000 and Directors (each, an “Indemnified Party”). Pursuant to the termsrealized a loss of approximately $51,000. As part of the agreements,transaction, the Company agreed to indemnify each Indemnified Partypay the purchaser rent of $200,000 in exchange for the Company retaining the rights of harvesting and selling of the fruit in the 2017/2018 harvest season.

On February 9, 2018, the Company sold its nursery located in Gainesville for approximately $6,500,000 and realized a gain of approximately $111,000.

On January 25, 2018, the Company sold its breeding herd to a third party for approximately $7,800,000 and realized a gain of approximately $1,759,000. As part of this transaction, the purchaser is also leasing from the Company grazing and other rights on the Alico Ranch at a rate of $100,000 per month. Upon the sale of a parcel within the East Ranch, the lease rate was adjusted to $98,750 per month.

On January 19, 2018, the Company sold certain trailers to a third party for $500,000. The Company received $125,000 and the remaining portion is to be paid in accordance with a promissory note, which bears interest at 5%, over three years.

On October 30, 2017, the Company sold its corporate office building in Fort Myers, Florida for $5,300,000 and realized a gain of approximately $1,751,000. The sales agreement provides that the Company lease back a portion of the office space for five years.  Such lease is classified as an operating lease.

The Company recorded 0 impairment loss during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. The Company recorded an impairment loss of approximately $152,000 and $150,000 for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. These impairment losses were included in operating expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The Company has already used a portion of the proceeds from these various asset sales to pay down debt (see Note 6. "Long-Term Debt and Lines of Credit") and to purchase citrus groves and plans to use the remaining cash proceeds from the sale of these assets to purchase other citrus groves, pay down other debt and to fund future working capital requirements and for other corporate purposes.

Note 5. Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment, net consists of the following at September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019:

(in thousands)

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Citrus trees

 

$

296,012

 

 

$

281,149

 

Equipment and other facilities

 

 

55,593

 

 

 

54,622

 

Buildings and improvements

 

 

8,128

 

 

 

8,224

 

Total depreciable properties

 

 

359,733

 

 

 

343,995

 

Less: accumulated depreciation and depletion

 

 

(115,440

)

 

 

(104,169

)

Net depreciable properties

 

 

244,293

 

 

 

239,826

 

Land and land improvements

 

 

105,768

 

 

 

105,822

 

Property and equipment, net

 

$

350,061

 

 

$

345,648

 

On June 1, 2020, the Company sold approximately 30 ranch acres to an employee for approximately $122,000 and recognized a gain of approximately $83,000.

On May 4, 2020, the Company purchased 334 citrus acres for approximately $2,850,000. This acquisition complements the Company’s existing citrus acres as these acres are located adjacent to existing groves in the Frostproof area. Additionally, this purchase was part of a like-kind exchange transaction, which allowed the Company to defer taxes relating to the fullest extent permittedsale of certain sections of the East Ranch.

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, the Company purchased 203 acres of citrus blocks for approximately $1,950,000. These purchases were made from grove owners from within the Company’s existing grove locations. In April 2019, the lender, PGIM Real Estate Finance, LLC (“Prudential”), agreed to accept those purchases completed through April 2019 as substitute collateral and release $1,800,000 from restricted cash, which was completed in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019. After April 2019, there were 2 additional purchases of Citrus blocks for approximately $100,000 that are not included as part of the substitution collateral.


On September 27, 2019, the Company sold approximately 5,500 acres from its West Ranch for approximately $14,775,000 and realized a gain on sale of approximately $13,033,000. Upon the sale of these acres, the lease rate pertaining to the grazing and other rights was adjusted from $98,750 to $80,000 per month, as space on these acres was previously being leased to a third party.

On September 29, 2018, the Company sold its property at Island Pond for $7,900,000. As the Island Pond property was collateralized under one of the Company’s loan documents, $7,000,000 of the proceeds was restricted in use.

On September 28, 2018, The Company sold a parcel within the East Ranch for approximately $1,920,000 and realized a gain of approximately $1,759,000.

On March 30, 2018, the Company sold property located on its Winter Haven location for approximately $225,000 and recognized a loss of approximately $50,000.

On March 15, 2018, the Company sold certain parcels comprised of citrus trees and land located on its Ranch One grove for approximately $586,000 and recognized a loss of approximately $87,000.

For fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded impairments of approximately $723,000, $244,000 and $2,084,000, respectively, relating to the loss of citrus trees.

As a result of the sale of a portion of the Alico Ranch to the State of Florida comprising approximately 10,700 acres on the western part of the ranch and because the sale of those acres affected the proposed dispersed water management project, the Company decided to suspend all permit approval activities for its dispersed water management project and the Company wrote-down approximately $598,000 of assets relating to this project during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020.

Note 6. Long-Term Debt and Lines of Credit

The following table summarizes long-term debt and related deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization at September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019:

 

 

September 30, 2020

 

 

September 30, 2019

 

(in thousands)

 

Principal

 

 

Deferred

Financing

Costs, Net

 

 

Principal

 

 

Deferred

Financing

Costs, Net

 

Long-term debt, net of current portion:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Met Fixed-Rate Term Loans

 

$

83,438

 

 

$

621

 

 

$

89,688

 

 

$

724

 

Met Variable-Rate Term Loans

 

 

40,969

 

 

 

286

 

 

 

43,844

 

 

 

334

 

Met Citree Term Loan

 

 

4,512

 

 

 

36

 

 

 

4,750

 

 

 

40

 

Pru Loans A & B

 

 

15,097

 

 

 

207

 

 

 

16,257

 

 

 

224

 

Pru Loan E

 

 

4,235

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

4,455

 

 

 

9

 

Pru Loan F

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,455

 

 

 

38

 

 

 

 

148,251

 

 

 

1,151

 

 

 

163,449

 

 

 

1,369

 

Less current portion

 

 

9,145

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,338

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

$

139,106

 

 

$

1,151

 

 

$

158,111

 

 

$

1,369

 


The following table summarizes lines of credit and related deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization at September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019:

 

 

September 30, 2020

 

 

September 30, 2019

 

(in thousands)

 

Principal

 

 

Deferred

Financing

Costs, Net

 

 

Principal

 

 

Deferred

Financing

Costs, Net

 

Lines of Credit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RLOC

 

$

 

 

$

141

 

 

$

 

 

$

8

 

WCLC

 

 

2,942

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lines of Credit

 

$

2,942

 

 

$

141

 

 

$

 

 

$

8

 

Future maturities of long-term debt and lines of credit as of September 30, 2020 are as follows:

(in thousands)

 

September 30, 2020

 

Due within one year

 

$

9,145

 

Due between one and two years

 

 

10,535

 

Due between two and three years

 

 

10,535

 

Due between three and four years

 

 

13,477

 

Due between four and five years

 

 

10,535

 

Due beyond five years

 

 

96,966

 

Total future maturities

 

$

151,193

 

Interest costs expensed and capitalized were as follows:

(in thousands)

 

Fiscal Year Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Interest expense

 

$

5,981

 

 

$

7,180

 

 

$

8,561

 

Interest capitalized

 

 

1,228

 

 

 

1,019

 

 

 

933

 

Total

 

$

7,209

 

 

$

8,199

 

 

$

9,494

 

Debt

The Company's credit facilities consist of $125,000,000 in fixed interest rate term loans (“Met Fixed-Rate Term Loans”), $57,500,000 in variable interest rate term loans (“Met Variable-Rate Term Loans”), a $25,000,000 revolving line of credit (“RLOC”) with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and New England Life Insurance Company (collectively “Met”), and a $70,000,000 working capital line of credit (“WCLC”) with Rabo Agrifinance, Inc. (“Rabo”).

The term loans and RLOC are secured by real property. The security for the term loans and RLOC consists of approximately 38,200 gross acres of citrus groves and 5,800 gross acres of Ranch land. The WCLC is collateralized by the Company’s current assets and certain other personal property owned by the Company.

The term loans, collectively, are subject to quarterly principal payments of $2,281,250, and mature November 1, 2029. The Met Fixed-Rate Term Loans bear interest at 4.15% per annum, and the Met Variable-Rate Term Loans bear interest at a rate equal to 90 day LIBOR plus 165 basis points (the “LIBOR spread”). The LIBOR spread is subject to adjustment by Met beginning May 1, 2017 and is subject to further adjustment every two years thereafter until maturity. No adjustment in the LIBOR spread was made at May 1, 2019. Interest on the term loans is payable quarterly. The interest rates on the Met Variable-Rate Term Loans were 1.91% per annum and 3.91% per annum as of September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively. 

The Company may prepay up to $8,750,000 of the Met Fixed-Rate Term Loan principal annually without penalty, and any such prepayments may be applied to reduce subsequent mandatory principal payments. The maximum annual prepayment was made for calendar year 2015. During the first and second quarter of fiscal year 2018, the Company elected not to make its principal payment and utilized a portion of its 2015 prepayment to satisfy its principal payment requirements for such quarters. At September 30, 2020, the Company had $5,625,000, available from its 2015 prepayment to reduce future mandatory principal payments should the Company elect to do so. The Met Variable-Rate Term Loans may be prepaid without penalty.


In March 2020, as a precautionary measure, the Company drew down an aggregate of $70,000,000 on its revolving credit facilities; $20,000,000 on its RLOC and $50,000,000 on its WCLC. This decision was made to safeguard the Company’s liquidity and to increase available cash on hand in the event of a more protracted COVID-19 outbreak. As of September 30, 2020, the Company had paid back a majority of the balances on these credit facilities.

The RLOC bears interest at a floating rate equal to 90 day LIBOR plus 165 basis points, payable quarterly. The LIBOR spread was adjusted by the lender on May 1, 2017 and is subject to further adjustment every two years thereafter. No adjustment in the LIBOR spread was made at May 1, 2019. In October 2019, the RLOC agreement was modified to extend the current maturity of November 1, 2019 to November 1, 2029. The RLOC is subject to an annual commitment fee of 25 basis points on the unused portion of the line of credit. The RLOC is available for funding general corporate needs. The variable interest rate was 1.91% per annum and 3.91% per annum as of September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively. Availability under the RLOC was $25,000,000 as of September 30, 2020.

The WCLC is a revolving credit facility and is available for funding working capital and general corporate requirements. The interest rate on the WCLC is based on the one month LIBOR, plus a spread, which is adjusted quarterly, based on the Company's debt service coverage ratio for the preceding quarter and can vary from 175 to 250 basis points. The rate is currently at LIBOR plus 175 basis points. The variable interest rate was 1.90% per annum and 3.85% per annum as of September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively. The WCLC agreement was amended on August 25, 2020, and the primary terms of the amendment were an extension of the maturity to November 1, 2023. There were no changes to the commitment amount or interest rate. Availability under the WCLC was approximately $66,659,000 and $69,540,000 as of September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively.

The WCLC is subject to a quarterly commitment fee on the daily unused availability under the line computed as the commitment amount less the aggregate of the outstanding loans and outstanding letters of credit. The commitment fee is adjusted quarterly based on Alico's debt service coverage ratio for the preceding quarter and can vary from a minimum of 20 basis points to a maximum of 30 basis points. Commitment fees to date have been charged at 20 basis points.

There was approximately $2,942,000 outstanding on the WCLC at September 30, 2020. The WCLC agreement provides for Rabo to issue up to $2,000,000, reduced from $20,000,000 during fiscal year 2019, in letters of credit on the Company’s behalf. As of September 30, 2020, there was approximately $399,000 in outstanding letters of credit, which correspondingly reduced the Company's availability under the line of credit.

In 2014, the Company capitalized approximately $2,834,000 of debt financing costs related to the refinancing. These costs, together with approximately $339,000 of costs related to the retired debt, are being amortized to interest expense over the applicable law, against all expenses, judgments,terms of the loans. Additionally, approximately $23,000 and fines$133,000 of financing costs were incurred for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, in connection with any legal proceeding brought against an Indemnified Party by reasonletters of credit. All previous costs are included in deferred financing costs and being amortized to interest expense over the applicable terms of the factobligations. The unamortized balance of deferred financing costs related to the financing above was approximately $1,048,000 and approximately $1,066,000 at September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively.

These credit facilities noted above are subject to various covenants including the following financial covenants: (i) minimum debt service coverage ratio of 1.10 to 1.00, (ii) tangible net worth of at least $160,000,000 increased annually by 10% of consolidated net income for the preceding years, or approximately $167,336,000 for the year ended September 30, 2020, (iii) minimum current ratio of 1.50 to 1.00, (iv) debt to total assets ratio not greater than .625 to 1.00, and, (v) solely in the case of the WCLC, a limit on capital expenditures of $30,000,000 per fiscal year. As of September 30, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all of the financial covenants.

Credit facilities also include a Met Life term loan collateralized by 1,200 gross acres of citrus grove owned by Citree ("Met Citree Loan"). This is a $5,000,000 credit facility that he or she is orbears interest at a fixed rate of 5.28% per annum. Principal and interest payments are made on a quarterly basis. At September 30, 2020 and 2019, there was an officer or Directoroutstanding balance of $4,512,000 and $4,750,000, respectively. The loan matures in February 2029. The unamortized balance of deferred financing costs related to this loan was approximately $36,000 and $40,000 at September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Transition from LIBOR

The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the transition from LIBOR as an interest rate benchmark to other potential alternative reference rates. Currently, the Company orhas debt instruments in place that reference LIBOR-based rates. The transition from LIBOR is estimated to take place in 2022 and management will continue to actively assess the related opportunities and risks involved in this transition.

Silver Nip Citrus Debt

There are 2 fixed-rate term loans, with an original combined balance of $27,550,000, bearing interest at 5.35% per annum (“Pru Loans A & B”). Principal of $290,000 is payable quarterly, together with accrued interest. On February 15, 2015, 734 Citrus Holdings, LLC d/b/a Silver Nip Citrus (“Silver Nip Citrus”) made a prepayment of $750,000. In addition, the Company made prepayments of approximately $4,453,000 in the


second fiscal quarter of 2018 with proceeds from the sale of certain properties, which were collateralized under these loans. The Company may prepay up to $5,000,000 of principal without penalty. As such, the Company exceeded the allowed $5,000,000 prepayment by reasonapproximately $203,000 and was required to make a premium payment of any action takenapproximately $22,000. The loans are collateralized by him or herapproximately 5,700 of citrus groves in Collier, Hardee, Highlands and Polk Counties, Florida and mature on June 1, 2029 and June 1, 2033, respectively.

Silver Nip Citrus entered into 2 additional fixed-rate term loans with Prudential to finance the acquisition of a 1,500 acre citrus grove on September 4, 2014. Each loan was in the original amount of $5,500,000 with principal of $55,000 per loan being payable quarterly, together with accrued interest. One loan bears interest at 3.85% per annum (“Pru Loan E”), while actingthe other bore interest at 3.45% per annum (“Pru Loan F”). The interest rate on behalfPru Loan E is subject to adjustment on September 1, 2019 and every year thereafter until maturity. No adjustment was made at September 1, 2019. Both loans were collateralized by approximately 1,500 gross acres of citrus groves in Charlotte County, Florida. Pru Loan E matures September 1, 2021, and Pru Loan F was scheduled to mature September 1, 2039.

In November 2019, the Company prepaid Pru Loan F in full by paying the then existing principal balance of $4,455,000. As a result of this prepayment, the Company’s required annual principal payments on its Pru Loans was reduced by $220,000 per annum.

The Silver Nip Citrus credit agreements are subject to a financial covenant whereby the consolidated current ratio requirement is 1.00 to 1.00. Silver Nip Citrus was in compliance with the current ratio covenant as of September 30, 2020.

The unamortized balance of deferred financing costs related to the Silver Nip Citrus debt was approximately $208,000 and $271,000 at September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Note 7. Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities consist of the Company. following at September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019:

(in thousands)

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Ad valorem taxes

 

$

2,057

 

 

$

2,117

 

Accrued interest

 

 

1,020

 

 

 

1,110

 

Accrued employee wages and benefits

 

 

2,214

 

 

 

2,525

 

Accrued dividends

 

 

674

 

 

 

448

 

Accrued contractual obligation associated with sale of real estate

 

 

 

 

402

 

Consulting and separation charges

 

 

146

 

 

 

400

 

Accrued insurance

 

 

636

 

 

 

544

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

 

348

 

 

 

223

 

Total accrued liabilities

 

$

7,095

 

 

$

7,769

 

Note 8. Fair Value Measurements

The Company also agreedcomplies with the provisions of FASB ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements” for its financial and non-financial assets and liabilities. ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure for each major asset and liability category measured at fair value on either a recurring or nonrecurring basis.

ASC 820 clarifies that fair value is an exit price representing the amount that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid to maintain directors’transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, ASC 820 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

Level 1- Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;

Level 2- Inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and

Level 3- Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, such as internally developed valuation models which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.


As of September 30, 2020 and officers’ liability insurance policies at existing coverage levels for as long as an Indemnified Party continues to serve as an officer or Director of2019, the Company anddid 0t have any assets held for sale that had been measured at fair value on a periodnon-recurring basis.

Management Security Plan

During August 2020, the Company paid out a lump sum of six years thereafter.


Stock Ownership Guidelines for CEO and Directors

approximately $5,175,000 to all beneficiaries in the Management Security Plan, following the equivalent annuity approach. The Company believes that its CEO should haveused a financially significant investmentthird-party service provider to assist in the evaluation of investments in this plan. For prior year investment valuations, the Company so that his or herused current market interest rates, quality estimates by rating agencies and valuation estimates by active market participants in order to determine values. As of September 30, 2020, due to the interestlump sum payment made in August 2020, the deferred retirements benefit was 0. As of September 30, 2019, deferred retirement benefits were valued based on actuarial data, contracted payment schedules and an estimated discount rate of 4.08%.

Note 9. Common Stock and Options

Effective January 27, 2015, the Company’s shareholders are aligned. In furtherance of this goal, in January 2013 the Board of Directors adopted a CEO Stock Purchase Policy requiring the CEO to beneficially own shares in the Company with a value equal to the higher of the market value or the price at which the CEO acquired the stock that is equal to or greater than $250,000 or the lesser amount applicable to a phase-in period (the “Company CEO Target Stock Ownership Requirement”), determined as of the end of each fiscal year. Mr. Trafelet met the Company CEO Target Stock Ownership Requirement throughout fiscal year 2018.


In 2005, the Board of Directors adopted, and the Company’s shareholders approved, a Director stock purchase policy requiring that all Directors own Alico common stock with a market value (or cost, if higher) that is equal to or greater than $200,000 or such lesser amount as is applicable to a phase-in period (the “Company Director Target Stock Ownership Requirement”). To provide Directors serving on the Board of Directors as of the date of the adoption of this policy and new Directors who subsequently join the Board of Directors the opportunity to meet this requirement over a reasonable period of time, each such Director has three years to achieve the overall Company Director Target Stock Ownership Requirement. If the Director is elected to the Board of Directors at a time when there is less than four months remaining in the fiscal year, then the three-year period for overall compliance with the Company Director Target Stock Ownership Requirement would be extended until two years following the end of the next full fiscal year. The Company Director Target Stock Ownership Requirement is measured at the end of the phase-in period and annually thereafter at the end of each fiscal year.

Tax Impact on Compensation

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) places a $1 million limit on the amount of compensation the Company may deduct for tax purposes in any year with respect to each NEO, exclusive of certain legacy performance-based compensation that meets applicable requirements. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“Tax Act”) generally eliminated the ability to deduct compensation qualifying for the “performance-based compensation” exception under Code Section 162(m) for tax years commencing after December 31, 2017. Code Section 162(m) imposes a $1 million limit on the amount that a public company may deduct for compensation paid to anyone who has ever been the Company’s chief executive officer, chief financial officer or one of the three highest compensated officers in any fiscal year beginning after December 31, 2016 (i.e., a “covered employee”). For fiscal year 2018 and prior taxable years, an exception to this deduction limit applied to “performance-based compensation,” such as stock options and other equity awards that satisfied certain criteria. Under the Tax Act, the performance-based pay exception


to Code Section 162(m) was eliminated, but a transition rule may allow the exception to continue to apply to certain performance-based compensation payable under written binding contracts that were in effect on November 2, 2017.

The Compensation Committee considers the deductibility of compensation when designing the Company’s executive compensation program; however, there can be no assurance that all compensation, if and when any is paid to any NEO, will ultimately prove to be deductible to the Company under the Code and applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations. Further, when warranted due to competitive or other factors, the Compensation Committee may decide to exceed the deductibility limit under Section 162(m) of the Code or to otherwise pay nondeductible compensation.

Subsequent Developments

On November 19, 2018, Alico, with unanimous approval of the members of the Board other than Mr. Trafelet, notified Mr. Trafelet that it intends to consider terminating his employment for “cause” pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement with the Company and option agreements entered into under the Company’s2015 Stock Incentive Plan of(the “2015 Plan”) which provides for up to 1,250,000 common shares available for issuance to provide a long-term incentive plan for officers, employees, directors and/or consultants to directly link incentives to stockholder value. The 2015 Plan was approved by the Company’s stockholders in February 2015. As required by such employment and option agreements, the Company will schedule a special meetingThe Company’s 2015 Plan provides for grants to executives in various forms including restricted shares of the Board at a future date, at which meeting Mr. TrafeletCompany’s common stock and his counsel (if he so elects) may meet with the Board to address this matter. The Board will make its final determination as to Mr. Trafelet’s employment following such meeting. Mr. Trafelet has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of these proceedings.

In connection with the commencement of the termination proceedings described above, Mr. Fishman was appointed to serve as Interim President, effective as of November 19, 2018. Messrs. Slackstock options. Awards are discretionary and Fishman will manage the Company during the pendency of Mr. Trafelet’s administrative leave.

Compensation Committee Report

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis that immediately precedes this report. Based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Form 10-K/A.

Submittedare determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors:

R. Greg Eisner, Chairman
W. Andrew Krusen, Jr.
Joseph S. Sambuco

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

The Compensation Committee is currently composedDirectors. Awards vest based upon service conditions. Non-vested restricted shares generally vest over requisite service periods of three Directors: R. Greg Eisner (Chairman), W. Andrew Krusen, Jr. and Joseph S. Sambuco. Noneone to six years from the date of grant.

Restricted Stock

In November 2017, a senior executive was awarded 5,000 restricted shares of the current members of the Compensation Committee is an officer or employee of the Company or was formerly an officer of the Company. In addition, there are no interlocking relationships between any of these Directors and any other current Executive Officer of the Company, and each of the Committee members is independentCompany’s common stock (“Restricted Stock”) under the Nasdaq listing standards.


Executive Compensation

2015 Plan at a weighted average fair value of $31.95 per common share, vesting over 2.5 years.

The following table provides information regardingrepresents a summary of the status of the Company’s nonvested shares:

Nonvested Shares

 

Shares

 

 

Weighted-

Average

Grant Date

Fair Value

 

Nonvested Shares at September 30, 2017

 

 

5,334

 

 

$

49.39

 

Granted during fiscal year 2018

 

 

5,000

 

 

 

31.95

 

Vested during fiscal year 2018

 

 

(3,001

)

 

 

39.70

 

Forfeited during fiscal year 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nonvested Shares at September 30, 2018

 

 

7,333

 

 

 

41.46

 

Granted during fiscal year 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vested during fiscal year 2019

 

 

(1,667

)

 

 

31.95

 

Forfeited during fiscal year 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nonvested Shares at September 30, 2019

 

 

5,666

 

 

 

44.26

 

Granted during fiscal year 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vested during fiscal year 2020

 

 

(5,666

)

 

 

44.26

 

Forfeited during fiscal year 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nonvested Shares at September 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

$

 

Stock compensation of our NEOsexpense related to the Restricted Stock totaled approximately $69,000, $104,000, and $137,000 for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, 2017respectively. There was approximately $0 and 2016. This table should be read in conjunction with the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, which sets forth the objectives and other information regarding our executive$69,000 of total unrecognized stock compensation program.









SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
Name and Principal PositionFiscal YearSalary(c) Bonus(d) Stock Grants(e) Option Grants(f) All Other Compensation(i)Total(j)
Remy W. Trafelet (1)
2018$400,000
 $550,000
 $172,500
 $1,554,000
 $37,757
$2,714,257
President & Chief Executive2017$300,000
 $400,000
 $217,500
 $1,059,000
 $26,817
$2,003,317
Officer2016N/A
 $
 $157,500
 $
 $
$157,500
            
Henry R. Slack (2)
2018$62,500
 $
 $93,750
 $
 $42,870
$199,120
Executive Chairman2017$226,443
 $250,000
 $46,875
 $794,250
 $29,815
$1,347,383
 2016$31,250
 $
 $140,625
 $
 $
$171,875
            
George R. Brokaw (3)
2018$
 $
 $120,000
 $
 $37,757
$157,757
Executive Vice Chairman2017$120,193
 $250,000
 $120,000
 $794,250
 $22,091
$1,306,534
 2016N/A
 $
 $120,000
 $
 $
$120,000
            
John E. Kiernan (4)
2018$360,000
 $545,000
 $159,750
 $666,000
 $20,638
$1,751,388
Executive Vice President,2017$360,000
 $200,000
 $
 $
 $22,795
$582,795
Chief Financial Officer and2016$325,000
 $175,000
 $
 $
 $18,715
$518,715
Corporate Secretary           
            
Richard Rallo, CPA (5)
2018$225,000
 $90,000
 $
 $
 $17,655
$332,655
Chief Accounting Officer2017$56,250
 $7,500
 $
 $
 $1,150
$64,900
 2016N/A
 $
 $
 $
 $
$
            
James Sampel (6)
2018$200,000
 $60,000
 $
 $
 $14,817
$274,817
Chief Information Officer2017$200,000
 $35,000
 $
 $
 $19,205
$254,205
 2016$150,000
 $45,000
 $
 $
 $67,809
$262,809

(1)Mr. Trafelet began serving as President and Chief Executive Officer on December 31, 2016. On November 19, 2018, Alico, with unanimous approval of the members of the Board other than Mr. Trafelet, notified Mr. Trafelet that it intends to consider terminating his employment for “cause” pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement with the Company and option agreements entered into under the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan of 2015. Mr. Trafelet has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of these proceedings.

(2)Mr. Slack began serving as Executive Chairman on December 31, 2016. As of June 26, 2017, Mr. Slack agreed to waive his salary.

(3)Mr. Brokaw began serving as Executive Vice Chairman on December 31, 2016. As of June 26, 2017, Mr. Brokaw agreed to waive his salary.

(4)Mr. Kiernan began serving as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer on June 1, 2015.

(5)Mr. Rallo began serving as Chief Accounting Officer on June 30, 2017.

(6)Mr. Sampel began serving as Chief Information Officer on December 31, 2015.



Columns ((g)-(h)) have been omitted as they are not applicable.

Salary (Column (c))

The amounts reported in Column (c) represent base salaries paidcosts related to each of the NEOs for each of the last three completed fiscal years and includes cash compensation for Mr. Slack for Board of Director services provided.

Bonuses (Column (d))

The amounts reported in Column (d) represent signing bonuses paid to Mr. Trafelet, Mr. Slack and Mr. Brokaw in connection with their employment agreements in fiscal year 2017 and discretionary bonuses paid to each of the NEOs for the last three completed fiscal years, as indicated.

Stock Grants (Column (e))

The amounts reported in Column (e) represent (i)unvested stock compensation for Mr. Trafelet, Mr. Slack and Mr. Brokaw for Board of Director services and (ii) athe Restricted Stock Award Agreement entered into by Mr. Kiernangrants at September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively.

For the Company on November 27, 2017.


Option Grants (Column (f))

The amounts reported in Column (f) represent (i) stock options awards received by Mr. Trafelet with the execution of his employment agreement on December 31, 2016 and additional stock options awards received on September 7, 2018, (ii) stock options awards received by Mr. Slack and Mr. Brokaw with the execution of their employment agreements on December 31, 2016 and (iii) stock options awards received by Mr. Kiernan on September 7, 2018. The fair value of the option grants was estimated on the date of each grant using a Monte Carlo valuation model. For information on the assumptions used to calculate the fair value of stock option grants, refer to Note 10. Common Stock and Options of our audited consolidated financial statements for thefiscal year ended September 30, 2018 included in our Form 10-K filed2020, 5,666 shares with a grant date fair value of approximately $251,000 became fully vested.

For the SEC on December 6, 2018.

fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, 1,667 shares with a grant date fair value of approximately $53,000 became fully vested.


All Other Compensation (Column (i))

The amounts reported in Column (i) represent the aggregate dollar amount for each NEO for perquisites

Stock Option Grant

Stock option grants of 118,000 options to certain Officers and other personal benefits and Company contributions to the Company’s 401(k) retirement plans. The following table shows and explains the specific amounts included in Column (i)Managers of the Summary Compensation Table for fiscal year 2018. Under SEC Rules,Company (collectively the Company is required to identify by type all perquisites and other personal benefits for an NEO if the total value for that individual equals or exceeds $10,000, and to report and quantify each perquisite or personal benefit that exceeds the greater of $25,000 or 10% of the total amount for that individual. For purposes of uniformity, all information regarding perquisites has been provided for each NEO, not just those meeting the $10,000 threshold.


Name
Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits(1)
Company Contributions to Retirement Plan
Insurance Premiums (2)
Total
Remy W. Trafelet$
$2,462
$34,895
$37,357
Henry R. Slack$
$
$42,870
$42,870
George R. Brokaw$
$
$34,895
$34,895
John E. Kiernan$1,700
$8,327
$10,611
$20,638
Richard Rallo, CPA$
$9,300
$8,355
$17,655
James Sampel$
$6,462
$8,355
$14,817


(1)Perquisites and other personal benefits are valued on the basis of the aggregate incremental cost to the Company, including but not limited to, dividends paid on unvested stock, the cost to the Company for Company cars used for commuting and other personal transportation.

(2)Represents applicable premiums paid on health and life insurance policies for each of the NEOs.



Total Compensation (Column (j)“2020 Option Grants”)
were granted on October 11, 2019. The amounts reported in Column (j) are the sum of Columns (c) through (i) for each of the NEOs. All compensation amounts reported in Column (j) include amounts paid and amounts deferred, of which there were none.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards in Fiscal Year 2018

Grants of Plan-Based Awards
NameGrant Date
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards

Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1) (2)

All Other Stock Awards: Number of
Shares of Stock or Units (#)
All Other Option Awards: Number of
Securities Underlying Options (#)
Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh)
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($)(3)
Threshold ($)Target ($)Maximum ($)Threshold (#)Target (#)Maximum (#)
Remy W. TrafeletSeptember 7, 2018    210,000
   $33.60
$1,554,000
John E. KiernanSeptember 7, 2018    90,000
   $33.60
$666,000

(1)    On September 7, 2018, Mr. Trafelet received a stock option grant of 210,000 shares of common stock and Mr. Kiernan received a stock option grant of 90,000 shares of common stock, in each case, at an exercise price of $33.60 per share. See “Employment Agreements with Named Executive Officers” below for further discussionwas set at $33.96, the closing price on stock options including vesting criteria.

(2)October 11, 2019. The options2020 Option Grants will vest as follows: (i) 25% of the options will vest if the fair market valueprice of the Company’s common stock during a consecutive 20-trading day period exceeds $35.00; (ii) 25% of the options will vest if the fair market valueprice of the Company’s common stock during a consecutive 20-trading day period exceeds $40.00; (iii) 25% of the options will vest if the fair market valueprice of the Company’s common stock during a consecutive 20-trading day period exceeds $45.00; and (iv) 25% of the options will vest if the fair market valueprice of the Company’s common stock during a consecutive 20-trading day period exceeds $50.00.

(3)    The fair value of the option grants was estimated on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo valuation model. For information on the assumptions used to calculate the fair value of stock option grants, refer to Note 10. Common Stock and Options to our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2018 included in our Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 6, 2018.

Employment Agreements with Named Executive Officers

Remy W. Trafelet, Henry R. Slack, and George R. Brokaw

On December 31, 2016, the Company entered into new employment agreements with each of Messrs. Trafelet, Slack, and Brokaw. The employment agreements provided for an initial annual base salary of $400,000 in the case of Mr. Trafelet and $250,000 in the case of each of Messrs. Slack and Brokaw, in each case subject to increases from time to time as determined by the Company.

In connection with their execution of the employment agreement, each of Messrs. Trafelet, Slack, and Brokaw also received a stock option grant of 300,000 options (in the case of Mr. Trafelet) and 225,000 options (in the case of each of Messrs. Slack and Brokaw). Each of these option grants were to vest as follows: (a) 25% of the options will vest if the fair market value of the Company’s common stock during a consecutive 20-trading day period exceeds $60.00; (b) 25% of the options will vest if such fair market value exceeds $75.00; (c) 25% of the options will vest if such fair market value exceeds $90.00; and (d) 25% of the options will vest if such fair market value exceeds $105.00. If the applicable stock price hurdles have not been achieved by (i)(A) the second anniversary ofdate that is 18 months following the executive’s termination of employment, if the executive’s employment is terminated due to death or disability, (ii)(B) the date that is 1812 months following the executive’s termination of employment, if the executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause, by the executiveemployee with good reason, or due to the executive’semployee’s retirement, or (iii)(C) the date of the termination of the executive’s employment for any other reason, then any unvested options will be forfeited. In addition,
if the applicable stock price hurdles have not been achieved by December 31, 2022 then any unvested options will be forfeited. The 2020 Option Grants will also become vested to the extent that the applicable stock price hurdles are satisfied in connection with a change in control of the Company. As of September 30, 2020, the Company’s stock closed at $28.62 per share. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, the Company’s common stock traded above $35.00 per share for twenty consecutive days. Accordingly, 25% of the 2020 Option Grants are vested at September 30, 2020 and the corresponding stock option expense was recognized during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020.

Stock option grants of 10,000 options to Mr. John Kiernan (the “2019 Option Grants”) were granted on October 25, 2018. The option exercise price for these options was set at $33.34, the closing price on October 25, 2018. The 2019 Option Grants will vest as follows: (i) 3,333 of the options will vest if the price of the Company’s common stock during a consecutive 20-trading day period exceeds $40.00; (ii) 3,333 of the options will vest if the price of the Company’s common stock during a consecutive 20-trading day period exceeds $45.00; (iii) 3,334 of the options will vest if the price of the Company’s common stock during a consecutive 20-trading day period exceeds $50.00. If the applicable stock price hurdles have not been achieved by (A) the date that is 18 months following the Executive’s termination of employment, if the Executive’s employment is terminated due to death or disability, (B) the date that is 12 months following the Executive’s termination of employment, if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause, by the Executive with good reason, or due to the Executive’s retirement, or (C) the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment for any other reason, then any unvested options will be forfeited. In addition, if the applicable stock price hurdles have not been achieved by December 31, 2021 then any unvested options will be forfeited. The 2019 Option Grants will also become vested to the extent that the applicable stock price hurdles are satisfied in connectionwith a change in control of the Company. As of September 30, 2020, the Company’s common stock was trading at $28.62 per share, and during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, the stock did not trade above $40.00 per share; accordingly, 0ne of the stock options are vested at September 30, 2020.

Stock option grants of 210,000 options to Mr. Remy Trafelet and 90,000 options to Mr. John Kiernan (collectively, the “2018 Option Grants”) were granted on September 7, 2018. The option exercise price for these options was set at $33.60, the closing price on September 7, 2018. The 2018 Option Grants will vest as follows: (i) 25% of the options will vest if the price of the Company’s common stock during a consecutive 20-trading day period exceeds $35.00; (ii) 25% of the options will vest if the price of the Company’s common stock during a consecutive 20-trading day period exceeds $40.00; (iii) 25% of the options will vest if the price of the Company’s common stock during a consecutive 20-trading day period exceeds $45.00; and (iv) 25% of the options will vest if the price of the Company’s common stock during a consecutive 20-trading day period exceeds $50.00. If the applicable stock price hurdles have not been achieved by (A) the date that is 18 months following the Executive’s termination of employment, if the Executive’s employment is terminated due to death or disability, (B) the date that is 12 months following the Executive’s termination of employment, if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause, by the Executive with good reason, or due to the Executive’s retirement, or (C) the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment for any other reason, then any unvested options will be forfeited. In addition, if the applicable stock price hurdles have not been achieved by December 31, 2021 then any unvested options will be forfeited. The 2018 Option Grants will also become vested to the extent that the applicable stock price hurdles are satisfied in connection with a change in control of the Company. As of September 30, 2020, the Company’s common stock was trading at $28.62 per share. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, the stock traded above $35.00 per share for a consecutive twenty days; accordingly, 25% of Mr. Kiernan's 2018 Option Grants are vested at September 30, 2020 and the corresponding stock option expense was recognized during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. As set forth below, more than a majority of the 2018 original Option Grants issued to Mr. Trafelet were forfeited and the vesting conditions of the remainder were modified, all pursuant to the Alico Settlement Agreement, as defined below, and the remaining 2018 original Option Grants, both vested and unvested, have since been forfeited or expired.  

A stock option grant of 300,000 options in the case of Mr. Trafelet and 225,000 options in the case of each of Mr. Henry Slack and Mr. George Brokaw (collectively, the “2016 Option Grants”) were granted on December 31, 2016. The option price was set at $27.15, the closing price on December 31, 2016. The 2016 Option Grants will vest as follows: (i) 25% of the options will vest if the price of the Company’s common stock during a consecutive 20-trading day period exceeds $60.00; (ii) 25% of the options will vest if such price exceeds $75.00; (iii) 25% of the options will vest if such price exceeds $90.00; and (iv) 25% of the options will vest if such price exceeds $105.00. If the applicable stock price hurdles have not been achieved by (A) the second anniversary of the Executive’s termination of employment, if the Executive’s employment is terminated due to death or disability, (B) the date that is 18 months following the Executive’s termination of employment, if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause, by the Executive with good reason, or due to the Executive’s retirement, or (C) the date



of the termination of the Executive’s employment for any other reason, then any unvested options will be forfeited. In addition, if the applicable stock price hurdles have not been achieved by the fifth anniversary of the grant date (or the fourth anniversary of the grant date, in the case of the tranche described in clause (a)(i) above), then any unvested options will be forfeited. These option grantsThe 2016 Option Grants will also become vested to the extent that the applicable stock price hurdles are satisfied in connection with a change in control of the Company. As describedof September 30, 2020, the Company’s stock was trading at $28.62 per share, and since the date of grant the Company’s common stock did not trade above in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis-Executive Compensation,”$60.00 per share; accordingly, 0ne of the 2016 Option Grants are vested at September 30, 2020. As set forth below, all of the 2016 Option Grants issued to Mr. Trafelet were forfeited pursuant to the Alico Settlement Agreement, as defined below.

Additionally, 187,500 shares of the 2016 Option Grants made to each of Messrs. Slack and Brokaw eachwere forfeited on September 5, 2018 and no replacement options were granted. As such, the remaining unrecognized expense associated with these options of approximately $783,000 was accelerated and recorded for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018.

Pursuant to a Settlement Agreement (described in Note 14. “Related Party Transactions”), which was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors, Mr. Trafelet agreed to voluntarily resign from his roles as President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of the terminationCompany. Under the Settlement Agreement, Mr. Trafelet forfeited (i) all of the 2016 Option Grants granted to him and forfeiture(ii) all of 187,500the 2018 Option Grants granted to him in September 2018, other than 26,250 stock options that would vest if the minimum price of Alico's common stock over 20 consecutive trading days exceeds $35.00 per share and 26,250 stock options that would vest if the minimum price of Alico's common stock over 20 consecutive trading days exceeds $40.00 per share (“2019 Modified Option Grant”), but, in each case, only if such conditions were satisfied by the first anniversary of the date of the Settlement Agreement (collectively, the "Retained Options"). Any Retained Options that vested in accordance with their terms will expire on the date that is six months following the date on which the Retained Option vests, and any Retained Options that did not vest by the first anniversary of the Alico Settlement Agreement would be forfeited as of such first anniversary. As of September 30, 2020, the Company’s stock was trading at $28.62 per share. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, the Company’s common stock traded above $35.00 per share for a consecutive twenty days; accordingly, 26,250 stock options from the 2019 Modified Option Grants vested, however, since these Modified Options were not exercised within six monthsfollowing the date on which the Retained Option vested, they were forfeited. Additionally, since the Company’s common stock did not trade above $40.00 per share for a consecutive twenty days by the first anniversary of the date of the Alico Settlement Agreement, the other 26,250 stock options from the 2019 Modified Option Grants were forfeited.  

Forfeitures of all stock options were recognized as incurred.

The following table represents a summary of the Company’s stock option activity:

 

 

Number of

Options

 

 

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

 

 

Weighted

Average

Remaining

Contractual

Term

(years)

 

 

Aggregate

Intrinsic

Value

 

Balance - September 30, 2018

 

 

675,000

 

 

$

30.02

 

 

2.22

 

 

 

 

Granted during fiscal year 2019

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

33.34

 

 

2.25

 

 

 

 

Forfeitures/expired during fiscal year 2019

 

 

(457,500

)

 

 

29.37

 

 

1.78

 

 

 

 

Exercised during fiscal year 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance - September 30, 2019

 

 

227,500

 

 

 

31.46

 

 

 

1.22

 

 

 

 

Granted during fiscal year 2020

 

 

118,000

 

 

 

33.96

 

 

2.25

 

 

 

 

Forfeitures/expired during fiscal year 2020

 

 

(52,500

)

 

 

33.60

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised during fiscal year 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance - September 30, 2020

 

 

293,000

 

 

 

32.09

 

 

 

1.79

 

 

 

 

Stock compensation expense related to the options totaled approximately $504,000, $674,000 and $1,617,000 for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

At September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, there was approximately $376,000 and $502,000, respectively, of total unrecognized stock compensation costs related to unvested share-based compensation for the option grants. The total unrecognized compensation cost as of September 30, 2020 is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.72 years.

The fair value of the 2020, 2019, and 2018 Option Grants was estimated on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo valuation model that uses the assumptions noted in the following table. The expected term of options granted is derived from the output of the option valuation model and


represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding; the range given below results from different timeframes for the various market conditions being met.

2020 Option Grant

Expected Volatility

26.0

%

Expected Term (in years)

3.61

Risk Free Rate

1.60

%

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of the 2020 Option Grant was $3.20.

2019 Modified Option Grant

Expected Volatility

25.0

%

Expected Term (in years)

1.50

Risk Free Rate

2.52

%

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of the 2019 Modified Option Grant was $1.40.

2019 Option Grants

Expected Volatility

30.0

%

Expected Term (in years)

4.09

Risk Free Rate

2.95

%

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of the 2019 Option Grants was $7.10.

2018 Option Grants

Expected Volatility

30.0

%

Expected Term (in years)

3.32

Risk Free Rate

2.80

%

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of the 2018 Option Grants was $7.40.

As of September 30, 2020, there remained 939,500 common shares available for issuance under the 2015 Plan.

Note 10. Treasury Stock

In fiscal year 2017, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $7,000,000 of the Company’s common stock in two separate authorizations (collectively, the "2017 Authorization"). In March 2017, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $5,000,000 of the Company’s common stock beginning March 9, 2017 and continuing through March 9, 2019. In May 2017, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $2,000,000 of the Company’s common stock beginning May 24, 2017 and continuing through May 24, 2019. The stock repurchases made under this repurchase were made through open market transactions at times and in such amounts as the Company’s broker determined subject to the provisions of SEC Rule 10b-18.

During fiscal year 2018, the Company purchased 72,266 shares at a cost of $2,214,756 under the 2017 Authorization. As of June 29, 2018, the Company suspended its stock repurchase activity. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, the Company did not purchase any shares under the 2017 Authorization. As the 2017 Authorization expired in May 2019, the Company has no funds available under this plan to repurchase stock.

On October 3, 2018, the Company completed a tender offer of 752,234 shares at a price of $34.00 per share aggregating $25,575,956. 734 Investors, Alico's largest stockholder from 2013 until November 12, 2019, participated in the tender offer by selling a small percentage of its holdings.


On October 10, 2019, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 7,000 shares of the Company’s common stock from 734 Investors in a privately negotiated repurchase of shares. On October 15, 2019, the Company entered into a repurchase agreement to repurchase a total of 7,000 shares of the Company’s common stock from 734 Investors, effective October 15, 2019.

In September 2013, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 105,000 shares of the Company’s common stock beginning in November 2013 and continuing through April 2018.

The following table illustrates the Company’s treasury stock purchases for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018:

(in thousands, except share amounts)

 

Total

Number of

Shares

Purchased

 

 

Average

Price

Paid

Per Share

 

 

Total Shares

Purchased

as Part of

Publicly

Announced

Plan or

Program

 

 

Total Dollar

Value of

Shares

Purchased

 

Fiscal Year Ended September 30,:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

7,000

 

 

$

33.95

 

 

 

1,481,640

 

 

$

238

 

2019

 

 

752,234

 

 

$

34.00

 

 

 

1,474,640

 

 

$

25,576

 

2018

 

 

72,266

 

 

$

30.65

 

 

 

722,406

 

 

$

2,215

 

The following table outlines the Company’s treasury stock transactions during the past three fiscal years:

(in thousands, except share amounts)

 

Shares

 

 

Cost

 

Balance at September 30, 2017

 

 

177,315

 

 

$

6,502

 

Purchased

 

 

72,266

 

 

 

2,215

 

Issued to Employees and Directors

 

 

(33,393

)

 

 

(1,181

)

Balance at September 30, 2018

 

 

216,188

 

 

 

7,536

 

Purchased

 

 

752,234

 

 

 

25,576

 

Issued to Employees and Directors

 

 

(28,790

)

 

 

(1,169

)

Balance at September 30, 2019

 

 

939,632

 

 

 

31,943

 

Purchased

 

 

7,000

 

 

 

238

 

Issued to Employees and Directors

 

 

(23,011

)

 

 

(1,402

)

Balance at September 30, 2020

 

 

923,621

 

 

$

30,779

 

Note 11. Income Taxes

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) was signed into law. The Act contains significant changes to corporate taxes, including a permanent reduction of the U.S. corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018. The Company’s statutory rate for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 was 24.5%, based on a fiscal year blended rate calculation. The 21% U.S. corporate tax rate is fully applicable to the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 and each year thereafter.

The Act required a one-time remeasurement of certain tax related assets and liabilities. During the first quarter ended December 31, 2017, the Company made certain estimates related to the impact of the Act including the remeasurement of deferred taxes at the new expected tax rate and a revised effective tax rate for the year ended September 30, 2018. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded a tax benefit of approximately $9,847,000 to account for these deferred tax impacts.

In October 2019, the Internal Revenue Service concluded their audit of the September 30, 2015 tax year with no changes. The Federal and State filings remain subject to examination by tax authorities for tax periods ending after September 30, 2015.


The income tax provision for the years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018 consists of the following:

(in thousands)

 

Fiscal Year Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal income tax

 

$

131

 

 

$

7,314

 

 

$

1,961

 

State income tax

 

 

(71

)

 

 

2,202

 

 

 

384

 

Total current

 

 

60

 

 

 

9,516

 

 

 

2,345

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal income tax

 

 

6,151

 

 

 

2,995

 

 

 

(3,917

)

State income tax

 

 

1,452

 

 

 

272

 

 

 

1,962

 

Total deferred

 

 

7,603

 

 

 

3,267

 

 

 

(1,955

)

Income tax provision

 

$

7,663

 

 

$

12,783

 

 

$

390

 

Income tax provision attributable to income before income taxes differed from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate of 21%, 21% and 24.53% to income before income taxes for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, respectively, as a result of the following:

(in thousands)

 

Fiscal Year Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Income tax at the statutory federal rate

 

$

6,568

 

 

$

10,587

 

 

$

3,198

 

Increase (decrease) resulting from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State income taxes, net of federal benefit

 

 

1,217

 

 

 

1,947

 

 

 

857

 

Permanent and other reconciling items, net

 

 

170

 

 

 

166

 

 

 

221

 

Expiration of capital loss carryforward

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,634

 

Reduction in deferred tax liability resulting from the Act

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9,847

)

State rate change

 

 

(156

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock option cancellation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

347

 

Other

 

 

(136

)

 

 

83

 

 

 

(20

)

Income tax provision

 

$

7,663

 

 

$

12,783

 

 

$

390

 

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as of September 30, 2020, and 2019 are presented below:

(in thousands)

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred retirement benefits

 

$

 

 

$

1,325

 

Goodwill

 

 

16,304

 

 

 

18,244

 

Inventories

 

 

813

 

 

 

930

 

Stock compensation

 

 

314

 

 

 

237

 

Intangibles

 

 

508

 

 

 

565

 

Other

 

 

203

 

 

 

168

 

Total deferred tax assets

 

 

18,142

 

 

 

21,469

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment

 

 

56,707

 

 

 

52,551

 

Investment in Citree

 

 

1,016

 

 

 

909

 

Prepaid insurance

 

 

147

 

 

 

134

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

 

 

57,870

 

 

 

53,594

 

Net deferred income tax liabilities

 

$

(39,728

)

 

$

(32,125

)


Note 12. Segment Information

Segments

Operating segments are defined in the criteria established under the FASB ASC Topic 280 as components of public entities that engage in business activities from which they may earn revenues and incur expenses for which separate financial information is available and which is evaluated regularly by the Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) in deciding how to assess performance and allocate resources. The Company’s CODM assesses performance and allocates resources based on 2 operating segments: Alico Citrus and Land Management and Other Operations (see name change explanation below).

As a result of the Company selling approximately 10,700 acres on the western part of Alico Ranch to the State of Florida and because a sale of those acres affected the proposed dispersed water management project, the Company decided to suspend all permit approval activities for its dispersed water management project. This has resulted in a change in the financial reporting to the CODM. Therefore, the Company has renamed the “Water Resources and Other Operations” segment to “Land Management and Other Operations”.

Total revenues represent sales to unaffiliated customers, as reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Goods and services produced by these segments are sold to wholesalers and processors in the United States who prepare the products for consumption. The Company evaluates the segments’ performance based on direct margins (gross profit) from operations before general and administrative expenses, interest expense, other income (expense) and income taxes, not including nonrecurring gains and losses.

Information by operating segment is as follows:

(in thousands)

 

Fiscal Year Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alico Citrus

 

$

89,369

 

 

$

119,031

 

 

$

78,121

 

Land Management and Other Operations

 

 

3,138

 

 

 

3,220

 

 

 

3,160

 

Total revenues

 

 

92,507

 

 

 

122,251

 

 

 

81,281

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alico Citrus

 

 

72,281

 

 

 

59,594

 

 

 

51,709

 

Land Management and Other Operations

 

 

2,307

 

 

 

2,297

 

 

 

3,979

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

74,588

 

 

 

61,891

 

 

 

55,688

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alico Citrus

 

 

17,088

 

 

 

59,437

 

 

 

26,412

 

Land Management and Other Operations

 

 

831

 

 

 

923

 

 

 

(819

)

Total gross profit

 

 

17,919

 

 

 

60,360

 

 

 

25,593

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alico Citrus

 

 

21,705

 

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

15,968

 

Land Management and Other Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

304

 

Other Capital Expenditures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

80

 

Total capital expenditures

 

 

21,705

 

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

16,352

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alico Citrus

 

 

13,822

 

 

 

12,935

 

 

 

12,546

 

Land Management and Other Operations

 

 

185

 

 

 

173

 

 

 

219

 

Other Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

 

 

513

 

 

 

816

 

 

 

991

 

Total depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

$

14,520

 

 

$

13,924

 

 

$

13,756

 


(in thousands)

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alico Citrus

 

$

406,763

 

 

$

401,212

 

Land Management and Other Operations

 

 

15,367

 

 

 

15,332

 

Other Corporate Assets

 

 

1,807

 

 

 

844

 

Total Assets

 

$

423,937

 

 

$

417,388

 

Note 13. Employee Benefits Plans

Management Security Plan

The management security plan (“MSP”) was a nonqualified, noncontributory defined supplemental deferred retirement benefit plan for a select group of management personnel. The MSP was set up to provide a fixed supplemental retirement benefit for 180 months. The MSP was frozen as of September 30, 2017. As a result, no new participants were being added to the MSP and no further benefits were accumulating.

The MSP benefit expense and the projected management security plan benefit obligation were determined using assumptions as of the end of the respective year. The weighted-average discount rate used to compute the obligation was 4.08% in fiscal year 2019.

Actuarial gains or losses were recognized when incurred; therefore, the end of year benefit obligation was the same as the accrued benefit costs recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The amount of MSP benefit expense charged to costs and expenses was as follows:

(in thousands)

 

Fiscal Year Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Service cost

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Interest cost

 

 

195

 

 

 

171

 

 

 

293

 

MSP termination adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

985

 

 

 

 

Recognized actuarial gain (loss) adjustment

 

 

12

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

16

 

Total

 

$

207

 

 

$

1,169

 

 

$

309

 

The following provides a roll-forward of the MSP benefit obligation:

(in thousands)

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Change in projected benefit obligation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit obligation at beginning of year

 

$

5,226

 

 

$

4,397

 

Interest cost

 

 

195

 

 

 

171

 

Benefits paid

 

 

(258

)

 

 

(340

)

MSP termination adjustments

 

 

 

 

985

 

MSP termination benefits payment

 

 

(5,175

)

 

 

 

Recognized actuarial gain adjustment

 

 

12

 

 

 

13

 

Benefit obligation at end of year

 

$

 

 

$

5,226

 

Funded status at end of year

 

$

 

 

$

(5,226

)

Effective September 30, 2018, such that they now each hold 37,500 options that will vestthe Company terminated the MSP. Under the MSP termination, payout for benefits covered utilizing the applicable Internal Revenue Code regulations were not able to be commenced until at least twelve months following plan termination decision, but needed to be fully paid out within twenty-four (24) months following plan termination. During August 2020, the Company caused the MSP to pay the lump sum termination benefits of approximately $5,175,000 to all MSP beneficiaries.

During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, the Company determined to pay out a lump sum under the equivalent annuity approach, whereby the payout under this approach was designed to mitigate participants tax burden. Under this approach, the Company would cover the amount needed to purchase an annuity providing the same after-tax benefit as if the applicable stock price hurdleplan was never terminated. As a result, the Company recorded an additional liability of approximately $720,000.


The Company had established a “Rabbi Trust” to provide for the potential funding of accrued benefits under the MSP. According to the terms of the Rabbi Trust, funding was voluntary until a change of control of the Company as defined in the Management Security Plan Trust Agreement occurs. Upon a change of control, funding would be triggered. As of September 30, 2020, the Rabbi Trust had no assets, and no change of control had occurred.

Profit Sharing and 401(k) Plans

The Company maintains a 401(k) employee savings plan for eligible employees, which provides up to a 4% matching contribution payable on employee payroll deferrals. The Company’s matching funds vest to the employee immediately, pursuant to a safe harbor election effective in October 2012. The Company’s contribution to the plan was approximately $397,000, $380,000 and $342,000 for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

The Company also maintains a Profit Sharing Plan (“Plan”) that is fully funded by contributions from the Company. Contributions to the Plan are discretionary and determined annually by the Company’s Board of Directors. Contributions to employee accounts are based on the participant’s compensation. The Company did not contribute to the Plan for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Note 14. Related Party Transactions

Clayton G. Wilson

The Company entered into a Separation and Consulting Agreement with Clayton G. Wilson (the “Separation and Consulting Agreement”), pursuant to which Mr. Wilson stepped down as Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective as of December 31, 2016. Under the Separation and Consulting Agreement, Mr. Wilson also acknowledged and agreed that he would continue to be bound by the restrictive covenants set forth in clause (a) is satisfied.


his Employment Agreement with the Company. The employment agreements also provideSeparation and Consulting Agreement provided that, if the applicable executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without “cause” or the applicable Executive resigns with “good reason” (as each such term is defined in the employment agreements), then, subject to his execution, delivery, and non-revocation of a general release of claims in favor of the Company, the executive willMr. Wilson would be entitled to cash severancevesting of any unvested portion of the restricted stock award granted to him under his Employment Agreement. In addition, the Separation and Consulting Agreement provided that Mr. Wilson serve as a consultant to the Company during 2017 and would receive an aggregate consulting fee of $750,000 for such services (payable $200,000 in an amountinitial lump sum, $275,000 in a lump sum on July 1, 2017, and $275,000 in 6 equal to 24 months (in the casemonthly installments commencing July 31, 2017 and ending December 31, 2017). As of Mr. Trafelet) or 18 months (in the case of Messrs. Slack and Brokaw) of the executive’s annual base salary.

The employment agreements include various restrictive covenants in favor ofDecember 31, 2017, the Company includingsatisfied its obligation to Mr. Wilson in full. The Company expensed approximately $0, $0 and $187,500 under the Separation and Consulting Agreement for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Mr. Wilson resigned as a confidentiality covenant, a nondisparagement covenant, and 12-month post-termination noncompetition and customer and employee non-solicitation covenants.

John E. Kiernan

On June 1, 2015, the Company entered into an employment agreement with John E. Kiernan, which provided for (i) an annual base salary of $325,000 (subject to increases from time to time as determined by the Company), (ii) a target annual bonus equal to 50% of his annual base salary and (iii) an initial equity award grant of 4,000 restricted sharesmember of the Company’s common stock that vests in equal installments on eachBoard of the first three anniversaries of the grant date (the “Kiernan Sign-On Grant”) and an additional equity award grant of 4,000 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock that vests in full on the fifth anniversary of the grant date (the “Kiernan Additional Grant”), in each case subject to continued employment.

On NovemberDirectors effective February 27, 2017, Mr. Kiernan received a grant of 5,000 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock that vests in equal annual installments over three years, with the first set of shares vesting on June 1, 2018.

Mr. Kiernan’s employment agreement also includes various restrictive covenants in favor of the Company, including a confidentiality covenant, a nondisparagement covenant, and 12-month post-termination noncompetition and customer and employee nonsolicitation covenants.

Richard Rallo

On June 19, 2017, the Company entered into an employment offer letter with Mr. Rallo establishing his compensation. The offer letter provided for an initial annual base salary $225,000 (subject to increases from time to time as determined by the Company) and a discretionary performance bonus of up to 25% of annual base salary. Mr. Rallo’s employment with the Company is at-will.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End 2018

The following table shows the number of unexercised and unearned stock options and unvested stock grants held by our named executive officers at September 30, 2018.

 Option AwardsStock Awards
NameEquity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised and Unearned
Options (#)
Option Exercise Price ($)
Option Expiration Date (1)
Number of Shares or Units or Stock that have not Vested (#)Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock that have not Vested ($)
Remy W. Trafelet300,000
$27.15
12/31/2026  
 210,000
$33.60
12/31/2026  
Henry R. Slack37,500
$27.15
12/31/2026  
George R. Brokaw37,500
$27.15
12/31/2026  
John E. Kiernan90,000
$33.60
12/31/20267,334
$247,855



(1)See “Employment Agreements with Named Executive Officers” above for further discussion on stock options including vesting criteria.

Option Exercises and Stock Vested in Fiscal Year 2018

No options were exercised during fiscal year 2018 by any of the NEOs, and there were no vested stock options outstanding as of September 30, 2018. Mr. Kiernan entered into Restricted Stock Award Agreements with the Company on June 1, 2015 and November 27, 2017 under which 1,334 and 1,667 shares vested, respectively, in fiscal year 2018 pursuant to these agreements.

OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED
 STOCK AWARDS
NameNumber of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#)Value Realized on Vesting ($)
John E. Kiernan3,001
$94,200

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

None of our NEOs participate in any nonqualified defined contribution plan.

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control

Remy W. Trafelet, 2017.

Henry R. Slack and George R. Brokaw


As described above in “-Employment Agreements with Named Executive Officers,”

On December 31, 2016, the Company entered into new employment agreements (collectively, the “Employment Agreements”) with each of Messrs. Trafelet,Henry R. Slack, and Brokaw provide that, ifGeorge R. Brokaw. Mr. Slack previously served as the applicable executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without “cause” or the applicable Executive resigns with “good reason” (as each such term is defined in the employment agreements), then, subject to his execution, delivery, and non-revocation of a general release of claims in favorChairman of the Company, and subjectMr. Brokaw previously served as the Executive Vice Chairman of the Company, and each of them continues to his compliance withserve on the restrictive covenants set forthCompany’s Board of Directors. The Employment Agreements provided for an annual base salary of $250,000 in the employment agreements, the executive will be entitled to cash severance in an amount equal to 24 months (in the case of Mr. Trafelet) or 18 months (inSlack and provides for an annual base salary of $250,000 in the case of Mr. Brokaw.

Beginning June 26, 2017, both Messrs. Slack and Brokaw)Brokaw agreed to waive payment of their salaries.

Effective July 1, 2019, Mr. Slack resigned his employment with the Company as Executive Chairman. Effective December 31, 2019, Mr. Brokaw resigned his employment with the Company as Executive Vice Chairman. Mr. Slack and Mr. Brokaw continue to serve on the Board of the executive’s annual base salary.


Company.

Remy W. Trafelet

As described above, in “Compensation Discussionon February 11, 2019 and Analysis-Subsequent Developments,” on November 19, 2018,as contemplated by the Alico with unanimous approvalSettlement Agreement, Mr. Trafelet submitted to the Board his resignation as President and Chief Executive Officer of the membersCompany and a member of the Board, other thaneffective upon the execution of the Alico Settlement Agreement. Also, on February 11, 2019, as contemplated by the Settlement Agreement, the Company entered into a consulting agreement (the "Consulting Agreement") with Mr. Trafelet notifiedand 3584 Inc., an entity controlled by Mr. Trafelet that it intends to consider terminating his employment for “cause” pursuant(the "Consultant"). Pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement withConsulting Agreement, Mr. Trafelet will make himself available to provide consulting services to the Company and option agreements entered intothrough the Consultant for up to 24 months. In exchange for the consulting services, the Consultant will receive an annual consulting fee of $400,000. The Company recorded an expense of $800,000, representing the full amount due under the Company’s Stock Incentive Planagreement, in fiscal year 2019 upon the execution of 2015. Mr. Trafeletthe agreement. The Company has been placed on administrative leave pendingpaid approximately $400,000 and $254,000 in consulting fees for the outcome of these proceedings.


John E. Kiernan

The employment agreement with Mr. Kiernan provides that, iffiscal years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. If the Company terminates Mr. Kiernan’s employment without causethe consulting period (other than in certain specified circumstances), the Company will continue to pay the consulting fees described above.


Shared Services Agreement

The Company had a shared services agreement with Trafelet Brokaw Capital Management, L.P. (“TBCM”), whereby the Company reimbursed TBCM for use of office space and various administrative and support services. The agreement expired December 31, 2018 and was not extended or if, following a change of controlrenewed. The annual cost of the office and services was approximately $618,000. The Company Mr. Kiernan resignsexpensed approximately $0, $155,000 and $592,000 for good reason, then Mr. Kiernan will be entitledthe fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. As of September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company did 0t have any outstanding amounts with TBCM.

Capital Contribution

On September 10, 2020, all operating partners of Citree received a funding notice relating to receive, subjectan additional Cash Capital Contribution (“Contribution”) requirement of approximately $600,000 as a result of trees producing limited revenue because they are still in early stage development, a reduction in market price for citrus fruit for the 2019/20 harvest season due to his execution, delivery,excess inventories and non-revocationthe adoption of a releasemore extensive caretaking plan focused on limiting the impact of claimscitrus greening. The Company’s portion of the Contribution was approximately $306,000 and subjectwas funded on September 24, 2020. The remaining portion of the Contribution of $294,000 was funded by the noncontrolling parties.

On April 16, 2018, all operating partners of Citree received a funding notice relating to his compliance withan additional Cash Capital Contribution requirement of approximately $2,041,000 as a result of Hurricane Irma, which reduced the restrictive covenants set forthamount of crop available for sale in the employment agreement, an amount equal to his base salary for the most recently completed fiscal year. The Kiernan Sign-On Grant will also vest fully and immediately upon such a termination2017/2018 harvest season and the Kiernan Additional Grant will vestCompany’s adoption of a more extensive caretaking plan focused on limiting the impact of citrus greening. The Company’s portion of the Contribution was approximately $1,041,000 and was funded on April 27, 2018. The remaining portion of the Contribution of $1,000,000 was funded by the noncontrolling parties.

Distribution of Shares by Alico’s Largest Shareholder

On November 12, 2019, 734 Investors, the Company’s largest shareholder, distributed the 3,173,405 shares of Company common stock held by it, on a pro rata basis, upon suchto its members. The Company understands that this share distribution was made in anticipation of a termination.


The following table sets forth estimatessubsequent dissolution of 734 Investors. Transfers of these shares are not registered on any current Alico registration statement, but the amounts payable to each of the NEOs under their respective agreements, assuming a change of control occurred or the NEO experienced a qualifying termination of employment under his agreement on September 30, 2018.


Named Executive Officer
Termination without Cause prior to Change of Control (1)
Resignation for Good Reason prior to Change of Control (2)
 Termination without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason Following a Change of Control (3)
 
Remy W. Trafelet$800,000
$800,000
$800,000
 
Henry R. Slack$375,000
$375,000
$375,000
 
George R. Brokaw$375,000
$375,000
$375,000
 
John E. Kiernan$607,855
$
$607,855
(4) 

(1)Amounts in this column are payable over 24 months for Mr. Trafelet, 18 months for Mr. Slack and Mr. Brokaw and 12 months for Mr. Kiernan.

(2)Amounts in this column are payable over 24 months for Mr. Trafelet and 18 months for Mr. Slack and Mr. Brokaw.

(3)Severance amounts in this column are payable in a lump sum during the two-year period following a change of control.

(4)Amounts in this column for Mr. Kiernan equal the amount of cash severance plus the value of plan-based stock award vesting due to Mr. Kiernan under his employment agreement (based on a price per share of common stock equal to the closing market price as of September 30, 2018).

CEO Compensation Pay Ratio

In August 2015,shares are potentially transferable pursuant to a mandateRule 144, subject to certain customary restrictions.

Note 15. Commitments and Contingencies

Operating Leases

The Company has obligations under various non-cancelable long-term operating leases primarily for office space and equipment. In addition, the Company has various obligations under other equipment leases of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reformless than one year.

Total rent expense was approximately $308,000, $450,000 and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), the SEC adopted a rule requiring annual disclosure of the ratio of the median employee’s annual total compensation to the total annual compensation of the CEO. We believe that executive pay should be internally consistent and equitable to motivate our employees to create stockholder value. The annual total compensation$1,062,000 for fiscal year 2018 for Mr. Trafelet, our President and CEO during the fiscal yearyears ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, was $2,541,757respectively.

The future minimum annual rental payments under non-cancelable operating leases are as reported underfollows:

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

2021

 

$

519

 

2022

 

 

324

 

2023

 

 

48

 

Total

 

$

891

 

Purchase Commitments

The Company enters into contracts for the heading “Summary Compensation Table,” excluding stock compensation for Boardpurchase of Director services. Our median employee’s total compensation for fiscal year 2018 was $76,506.citrus trees during the normal course of its business. As a result, we estimate that Mr. Trafelet’s fiscal year 2018 total compensation was approximately 33 times that of our median employee.


Our CEO to median employee pay ratio was calculated in accordance with Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K. We identified the median employee by examining fiscal year 2018 total compensation consisting of base salary, annual bonus amounts, stock-based compensation (based on the grant date fair value of awards during fiscal year 2018) and other incentive payments for all full-time, part-time, seasonal and hourly employees who were employed bySeptember 30, 2020, the Company onhad approximately $3,014,000 relating to outstanding commitments for these purchases that will be paid upon delivery of the remaining citrus trees.

Letters of Credit

The Company had outstanding standby letters of credit in the total amount of approximately $399,000 and $460,000 at September 30, 2018, other than our CEO. After identifying the median employee based on fiscal year 2018 total compensation, we calculated annual total compensation for such employee using the same methodology we use for our named executive officers as set forth in the “Total” column in the Summary Compensation Table.

2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively, to secure its various contractual obligations.


The pay ratio reported above is

Legal Proceedings

Florida Litigation

On November 16, 2018, 734 Agriculture, RCF 2014 Legacy LLC, Delta Offshore Master II, LTD. and Mr. Remy W. Trafelet (the “Trafelet Parties”), who was at the time the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer and a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with SEC rules, based on our internal records and the methodology described above. The SEC rules for identifying the median compensated employee allow companies to adopt a variety of methodologies, to apply certain exclusions and to make reasonable estimates and assumptions that reflect their employee populations and compensation practices. Accordingly, the pay ratio reported by other companies may not be comparable to the pay ratio reported above, as other companies have different employee populations and compensation practices and may use different methodologies, exclusions, estimates and assumptions in calculating their own pay ratios.




Director Compensation

Director Fees

Under our director compensation arrangement that became effective on April 1, 2013, our Directors (including employee directors) receive an annual fee of $75,000 in cash. No additional fees are payable for attendance at Board of Directors meetings. For service as a standing committee chairman, Directors are paid $5,000 annually, with the exception of the chairman of the Audit Committee, who receives $10,000 annually, the chairman of the Executive Committee, who receives $40,000 annually and the Chairmanmember of the Board of Directors, who receives $50,000 annually. All annual fees are payable in quarterly basis.

Prior to the beginning of each calendar year, each Director may elect to receive all or any portion of his or her Director fees, including those received for chairing any committee, in the form of common stock withfiled a market value at the time of such quarterly installment equal to 150%lawsuit against Messrs. George R. Brokaw, Henry R. Slack, W. Andrew Krusen and Greg Eisner, members of the amount of such fees otherwise payable in cash.

Additional Arrangements

The Company pays for or provides (or reimburses Directors for out-of-pocket costs incurred for) transportation, hotel, food and other incidental expenses related to attending Board of Directors, committee orin the Circuit Court (the “Circuit Court”) for Hillsborough County, Florida (the “Florida Litigation”). The Trafelet Parties sought, among other things, a declaration that (1) a purported stockholder action by written consent, delivered to the Company meetings or participating in Director education programsthe name of 734 Investors and other Director orientation or educational meetings.

the plaintiffs in the Florida Litigation on November 11, 2018 Director Compensation

The following table provides information concerning(the “Purported Consent”) was valid and binding, (2) the compensationresolutions passed at a meeting of the Board of Directors on November 12, 2018, to, among other things, constitute an ad hoc committee of the Board of Directors to consider, evaluate and make any and all determinations, and to take any and all actions, on behalf of the Board of Directors, in connection with the Purported Consent were null and void and (3) the four defendants in the Florida Litigation were properly removed from the Board of Directors by the Purported Consent. On November 27, 2018, the Circuit Court denied without prejudice plaintiffs’ motion for a temporary restraining order and an affirmative injunction restoring Mr. Trafelet from administrative leave to active status in his capacity as President and CEO of the Company.

On November 28, 2018, the parties in the Florida Litigation stipulated to an order which provided, pending the resolution of the Delaware Litigation (as defined below), that (1) the record date for the Purported Consent was stayed indefinitely, and (2) Mr. Trafelet and the Company’s Board of Directors should not take any action out of routine day-to-day operations conducted in the ordinary course of business, including any action to change the corporate governance of Alico or removing any corporate officers or directors from positions held as of November 27, 2018.

On December 6, 2018, the Trafelet Parties filed an amended complaint in the Florida Litigation which added the Company and Benjamin D. Fishman, a member of the Board of Directors, as defendants. On December 21, 2018, the Trafelet Parties filed a renewed motion for a preliminary injunction restoring Mr. Trafelet from administrative leave to active status in his capacity as President and CEO of the Company. On January 14, 2019, the defendants in the Florida Litigation filed an opposition to plaintiffs’ renewed motion for a preliminary injunction. On January 18, 2019, the defendants in the Florida Litigation filed a motion to dismiss the plaintiffs’ amended complaint.

On February 11, 2019, the parties to the Florida Litigation entered into a settlement agreement (the “Alico Settlement Agreement”) wherein the parties agreed to promptly dismiss all claims in the Florida Litigation. Pursuant to the Alico Settlement Agreement, Mr. Trafelet agreed to voluntarily resign as President and Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Board of Directors, effective upon the execution of the Alico Settlement Agreement.

As contemplated by the Alico Settlement Agreement, on February 11, 2019, the Company entered into a consulting agreement (the “Consulting Agreement”) with Mr. Trafelet and 3584 Inc., an entity controlled by Mr. Trafelet (the “Consultant”). Pursuant to the Consulting Agreement, Mr. Trafelet agreed to make himself available to provide consulting services to the Company through the Consultant for up to 24 months. In exchange for the consulting services, the Consultant is receiving an annual consulting fee of $400,000. If the Company terminates the consulting period (other than in certain specified circumstances), the Company will continue to pay the consulting fees described in the immediately preceding sentence through the balance of the 24-month term. As such, the Company recorded the $800,000 as an expense for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. There were no stock options outstanding for any Director,2019.

In addition, on February 11, 2019, as contemplated by the Alico Settlement Agreement, the Company entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with Mr. Trafelet, relating to director services,the shares of the Company’s common stock directly held by the Trafelet Parties as of September 30, 2018. Non-employeeFebruary 11, 2019 (the “Registrable Securities”). The Registration Rights Agreement required the Company to, among other things and subject to the terms and conditions thereof, use reasonable best efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 covering the resale of the Registrable Securities. On October 10, 2019, Mr. Trafelet executed a waiver whereby he waived the S-3 Registration Rights but maintained all other rights arising under the Registration Rights Agreement and all rights arising under Section 14 of the Alico Settlement Agreement.

Delaware Litigation

On November 20, 2018, members of 734 Investors filed a lawsuit against 734 Agriculture and Mr. Trafelet, who was at the time the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors did not participate in the Company’s pension benefit plan or in the Company’s defined contribution plan in fiscal year 2018. Accordingly, the columns for such information have been omitted from the table below. ForDelaware Court of Chancery (the "Delaware Court"), captioned Arlon Valencia Holdings v. Trafelet, C.A. No. 2018-0842-JTL (the “Members’ Delaware Litigation”). The plaintiffs sought, among other things, a complete understanding of the table, please read the footnotes and the narrative disclosuresdeclaration that follow the table below.


Name
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash(1) ($)
Stock Awards(2)       ($)
Total ($)
George R. Brokaw$
$120,000
$120,000
R. Greg Eisner$
$120,000
$120,000
Benjamin D. Fishman(3)
$
$127,500
$127,500
W. Andrew Krusen, Jr.$
$112,500
$112,500
Henry R. Slack$62,500
$93,750
$156,250
Joseph Sambuco$
$112,500
$112,500
Remy W. Trafelet$
$172,500
$172,500

(1)All figures represent the dollar amount of cash paid for Directors’ annual fees (including any fees received in connection with service as a Chairman of a committee or Chairman of the Board of Directors).

(2)Totals represent the value of common stock received in lieu of cash fees pursuant to each Director’s election under the Stock Incentive Plan of 2015 and the Director Compensation Plan, as recognized for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to fiscal year 2018, which for all grants were equal to the grant date fair value, computed in accordance with FASB ASC 718. Directors are granted shares of common stock in lieu of cash fees on a quarterly basis each year. All awards are vested upon grant and there are no outstanding unvested stock awards.

(3)Does not include 19,698 shares issued to Mr. Fishman as nominee on behalf of Arlon Food and Agriculture Advisors LLC. Mr. Fishman subsequently transferred these shares to Arlon Valencia Holdings LLC. Mr. Fishman is serving as a director on behalf of Arlon and received the shares as nominee in connection with such service on the Board of Directors.




Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of January 15, 2019, by (i) each person known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of our common stock, (ii) each Director, (iii) our Named Executive Officers ("NEOs") and (iv) all of our Directors and Executive Officers as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, the persons listed in this table have sole voting and investing power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned, subject to community property laws where applicable.

 
Shares Beneficially Owned(1)
Name and Address of Beneficial OwnersAmount and Nature of Beneficial OwnershipPercent of Class
5% Shareholders   
734 Investors, LLC (2)
3,200,405
 42.9%
410 Park Avenue, 17th Floor   
New York, NY 10022   
734 Agriculture, LLC (2)
3,200,405
 42.9%
410 Park Avenue, 17th Floor   
New York, NY 10022   
Thomas E. Claugus / GMT Capital Corp.(3)
516,427
 6.9%
2100 Riveredge Parkway, Suite 840   
Atlanta, GA 30328   
Directors and Executive Officers (4)
   
George R. Brokaw (5) (6)
3,320,398
 44.5%
R. Greg Eisner (6)
19,144
 *
Benjamin D. Fishman (7) 

 *
W. Andrew Krusen, Jr. (6) (8)
20,076
 *
Joseph Sambuco (6)
15,361
 *
Henry R. Slack (6) (9)
16,305
 *
Remy W. Trafelet (6) (10)
3,691,429
 49.5%
John E. Kiernan (11)
13,000
 *
Richard Rallo, CPA
 *
James Sampel
 *
    
All Executive Officers and Directors as a group (10 persons)3,895,308
 52.2%
____________________
* Less than 1%.

(1)    Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) that deem shares to be beneficially owned by any person who has or shares voting and/or investment power with respect to such shares.

(2)    The beneficial ownership numbers for Messrs. Brokaw and Trafelet include 3,180,405 shares acquired by 734 Investors, LLC (“734 Investors”) and 20,000 shares acquired by Mr. Brokaw in his capacity as 734 Investors’ designee on November 19, 2013 as reported on the Schedule 13D filed November 29, 2013 by 734 Investors, 734 Agriculture LLC (“734 Agriculture”) and Messrs. Brokaw and Trafelet. Pursuant to a designee agreement dated November 19, 2013 (the “Designee Agreement"), Mr. Brokaw agreed to vote the 20,000 shares acquired by him in the Share Purchase (see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions and Director Independence”) as directed by 734 Investors and not to transfer, sell or otherwise dispose of those shares except pro rata with 734 Investors’ disposition of its shares of common stock. Because of its positionwas validly replaced as the managing member of 734 Investors and subjectpursuant to the orderAmended and the outcomeRestated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of the litigation matters referenced in the next sentence,734 Investors (the “LLC Agreement”) and November 19, 2018 resolution by written consent to remove 734 Agriculture


may be deemed to be the beneficial owner as managing member of the 3,180,405 shares owned by 734 Investors, and to designate Arlon Valencia Holdings, LLC as the 20,000 shares owned by Mr. Brokawnew managing member of 734 Investors (the “734 Consent”), and subject to(2) the DesigneePurported Consent was invalid under the LLC Agreement. Pursuant to


Also, on November 20, 2018, 734 Agriculture filed a lawsuit contesting the 734 Consent in the Delaware Court, captioned 734 Agriculture v. Arlon Valencia Holdings, LLC, C.A. No. 2018-0844-JTL (the “734 Delaware Litigation”). On November 27, 2018, the Delaware Court entered a stipulated order consolidating the Members’ Delaware Litigation and the 734 Delaware Litigation into a single lawsuit, captioned In re 734 Investors, LLC Litigation, Consol. C.A. No. 2018-0844-JTL (the consolidated suit, the “Delaware Litigation”).

On December 5, 2018, the Delaware Court entered a stipulated status quo order agreedwhich provided, among other things, that 734 Agriculture was to byserve as the parties to a lawsuit inmanaging member of 734 Investors during the pendency of the Delaware Court of Chancery captioned In re 734 Investors, LLC Litigation, Consol. C.A. No. 2018-0844-JTL,Litigation. The status quo order also provided that 734 Agriculture maywould not be permitted to take any actions outside of the ordinary course of business of 734 Investors without the consent of two-thirds of the membership interests of 734 Investors, including exercising any voting rights with respect to any shares beneficially owned by 734 Investors.


(3)    GMT Capital Corp.’s ("GMT") Schedule 13G/A filed on February 14, 2018 reflected 516,427 beneficially owned shares held as of February 14, 2018. Mr. Claugus, President of GMT, is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of the 516,427 shares by virtue of his position with GMT.

(4)    Except as set forth in this table or the footnotes thereto, the business address of each Director and NEO listed is c/o Alico, Inc., 10070 Daniels Interstate Court, Suite 100, Fort Myers, FL 33913.

(5)    As one of the controlling persons of 734 Agriculture, subject to the order and the outcome of the litigation matters referenced in the next sentence, Mr. Brokaw may be considered to be the indirect beneficial owner of, and to have shared power to vote or to direct the vote and to dispose of or to direct the disposition of 3,180,405 shares of common stock held directly by 734 Investors. In addition, pursuant to the Designee Agreement, Mr. Brokaw may be deemed to have shared power with Mr. Trafelet to vote or to direct the vote and to dispose of or to direct the disposition of 20,000 shares acquired directly by Mr. Brokaw in the Share Purchase. Mr. Brokaw disclaims beneficial ownership of the 3,180,405 shares held by 734 Investors except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. Pursuant to a stipulated status quo order agreed to by the parties to a lawsuit in the Delaware Court of Chancery captioned In re 734 Investors, LLC Litigation, Consol. C.A. No. 2018-0844-JTL, 734 Agriculture may not take any actions outside of the ordinary course of business of 734 Investors without the consent of two-thirds of the membership interests of 734 Investors, including exercising any voting rights with respect to any shares beneficially owned by 734 Investors. Mr. Brokaw’s beneficial ownership also includes 100,849 shares acquired in connection with the Company’s merger with 734 Citrus Holdings, LLC (see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions and Director Independence”) and 19,144 shares received under the Directors Stock Compensation Plan pursuant to the Director’s election to receive shares in lieu of cash fees.

(6)    Includes shares received under the Directors Stock Compensation Plan pursuant to such Director’s election to receive shares in lieu of cash fees.

(7)    Does not include 19,698 shares issued to Mr. Fishman as nominee on behalf of Arlon Food and Agriculture Advisors LLC. Mr. Fishman subsequently transferred these shares to Arlon Valencia Holdings LLC. Mr. Fishman is serving as a director on behalf of Arlon and received the shares as nominee in connection with such service on the Board of Directors.

(8)    The beneficial ownership numbers for Mr. Krusen include 1,000 shares held by WIT Ventures, Ltd. (“WIT”) of which Mr. Krusen may be considered to be the indirect beneficial owner by virtue of his position as President of Dominion Financial Group, Inc. (“DFG”), the managing general partner of WIT which solely holds voting and dispositive powers. Mr. Krusen has investment authority over shares held by DFG pursuant to a Consulting Agreement between Mr. Krusen and DFG.

(9)    Montac Trust, a trust of which Mr. Slack is a beneficiary, holds 1,820 shares of common stock. Mr. Slack disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by such trust except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.

(10)    As one of the controlling persons of 734 Agriculture, subject to the order and the outcome of the litigation matters referenced in the next sentence, Mr. Trafelet may be considered to be the indirect beneficial owner of, and to have shared power to vote or to direct the vote and to dispose of or to direct the disposition of, 3,180,405 shares of common stock beneficially owned by 734 Investors. Pursuant to

On February 11, 2019, Mr. Trafelet, 734 Agriculture, 734 Investors, and certain members of 734 Investors entered into a stipulated status quo ordersettlement agreement (the “734 Investors Settlement Agreement”) wherein the parties agreed to by the parties to a lawsuitpromptly dismiss all claims in the Delaware Court of Chancery captioned In reLitigation. Pursuant to the 734 Investors LLC Litigation, Consol. C.A. No. 2018-0844-JTL,Settlement Agreement, 734 Agriculture may not take any actions outside of the ordinary course of businessresigned as Managing Member of 734 Investors withoutand Arlon Valencia Holdings, LLC was confirmed as Managing Member of 734 Investors.

From time to time, Alico may be involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of its operations in the consentnormal course of two-thirdsbusiness. There are no current legal proceedings to which the Company is a party or of which any of its property is subject that it believes will have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Note 16. Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)

Summarized quarterly financial data for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, and 2019 are computed independently each quarter, therefore, the sum of the membership interestsquarter amounts may not equal the total amount for the respective year due to rounding as follows:

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Fiscal Quarter Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

March 31,

 

 

June 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Total operating revenues

 

$

11,005

 

 

$

14,779

 

 

$

50,515

 

 

$

48,521

 

 

$

26,122

 

 

$

57,565

 

 

$

4,865

 

 

$

1,386

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

5,391

 

 

 

11,597

 

 

 

43,898

 

 

 

32,207

 

 

 

19,902

 

 

 

31,561

 

 

 

5,397

 

 

 

(13,474

)

Gross profit (loss)

 

 

5,614

 

 

 

3,182

 

 

 

6,617

 

 

 

16,314

 

 

 

6,220

 

 

 

26,004

 

 

 

(532

)

 

 

14,860

 

General and administrative expenses

 

 

2,760

 

 

 

3,450

 

 

 

2,953

 

 

 

4,654

 

 

 

2,556

 

 

 

2,682

 

 

 

2,729

 

 

 

4,360

 

Other (expense) income, net

 

 

(1,595

)

 

 

(2,864

)

 

 

1,398

 

 

 

(1,972

)

 

 

(1,405

)

 

 

(1,623

)

 

 

26,058

 

 

 

11,478

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

 

1,259

 

 

 

(3,132

)

 

 

5,062

 

 

 

9,688

 

 

 

2,259

 

 

 

21,699

 

 

 

22,797

 

 

 

21,978

 

Income tax (benefit) expense

 

 

361

 

 

 

(629

)

 

 

1,496

 

 

 

2,228

 

 

 

171

 

 

 

5,483

 

 

 

5,635

 

 

 

5,701

 

Net (loss) income

 

 

898

 

 

 

(2,503

)

 

 

3,566

 

 

 

7,460

 

 

 

2,088

 

 

 

16,216

 

 

 

17,162

 

 

 

16,277

 

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

(107

)

 

 

36

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

87

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

28

 

 

 

42

 

 

 

232

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Alico Inc. common stockholders

 

$

791

 

 

$

(2,467

)

 

$

3,571

 

 

$

7,547

 

 

$

2,096

 

 

$

16,244

 

 

$

17,204

 

 

$

16,509

 

Earnings (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.11

 

 

$

(0.33

)

 

$

0.48

 

 

$

1.01

 

 

$

0.28

 

 

$

2.17

 

 

$

2.29

 

 

$

2.21

 

Diluted

 

$

0.11

 

 

$

(0.33

)

 

$

0.48

 

 

$

1.01

 

 

$

0.28

 

 

$

2.17

 

 

$

2.29

 

 

$

2.21

 

Total operating expenses for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2019 includes insurance proceeds received of 734 Investors, including exercisingapproximately $486,000 in additional property and casualty claims reimbursement relating to Hurricane Irma (see Note 3. “Inventories”) and block grants of approximately $15,597,000 under the Florida Citrus Recovery Block Grant (“CRBG”) program relating to Hurricane Irma. General and administrative expenses for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2019 include pension expense of $935,000 relating to termination of employee benefit plan (see Note 13. “Employee Benefit Plans” for further detail). Other income for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2019 includes a gain on sale of assets of approximately $13,166,000 (see Note 4. “Assets Held For Sale” and Note 5. “Property and Equipment, Net” for further information). Operating revenues and operating expenses for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2020 include approximately $3,246,000 and approximately $2,951,000, respectively, relating to the grove management services being provided to a third-party.  Other income for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2020 includes a gain on sale of assets of approximately $27,470,000 (see Note 4. “Assets Held For Sale” and Note 5. “Property and Equipment, Net” for further information).


Note 17. Subsequent Event

On December 2, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a first quarter of fiscal year 2021 cash dividend of $0.18 per share on its outstanding common stock to be paid to shareholders of record as of December 24, 2020, with payment expected on January 8, 2021.

In November 2020, the Company awarded 5,885 shares of restricted stock to certain officers and managers under the 2015 Plan.

On October 30, 2020, the Company purchased approximately 3,280 gross citrus acres located in Hendry County for a purchase price of $16.5 million.


Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

(a)

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

Our Principal Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, our Principal Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

(b)

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.

During the fourth fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2020, there were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

(c)

Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

(i)

pertain to the maintenance of records, that in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;

(ii)

provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and

(iii)

provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2020. In making this assessment, management used the criteria described in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”).

Based on our assessment and those criteria, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of September 30, 2020. Management reviewed the results of their assessment with our Audit Committee. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2020 has been audited by RSM US LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their attestation report which is included herein.

Item 9B. Other Information

None.


PART III

Certain information required by Part III is omitted from this Annual Report on Form 10-K because we will file a definitive Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (the “Proxy Statement”), not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the applicable information included in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Information concerning our directors and nominees and other information as required by this Item 10 are hereby incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A.

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that is intended to serve as a code of ethics for purposes of Item 406 of Regulation S-K. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is posted on our website http://www.alicoinc.com (at the Investor homepage under "Corporate Governance") and we intend to disclose on our website any voting rightsamendments to, or waiver from, such code.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The information required by Item 11 regarding executive compensation is included under the headings “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Compensation Committee Report” and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” in the Proxy Statement to be filed with respectthe SEC pursuant to any shares beneficially owned by 734 Investors. Mr. Trafelet disclaims beneficialRegulation 14A.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Information concerning the ownership of the 3,180,405 shares heldcertain beneficial owners and management and related stockholder matters as required by 734 Investors and Mr. Brokaw exceptthis Item 12 is hereby incorporated by reference to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. The beneficial ownership numbers for Mr. Trafelet also include 191,060 shares held by a fund of which Mr. Trafelet may be consideredProxy Statement to be the indirect beneficial owner (the “Fund”) by virtue of his positionfiled with the investment manager of the Fund and, in such capacity, exercises voting and investment control over securities held for the accounts of the Fund. Mr. Trafelet disclaims beneficial ownership of the common stock held by the Fund except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. The beneficial ownership numbers for Mr. Trafelet also include 275,504 shares acquired in connection with the Company’s merger with 734 Citrus Holdings, LLC (see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions and Director Independence”) of which 137,752 shares are held by RCF 2014 Legacy LLC. Mr. Trafelet exercises investment control over the securities held by RCF 2014 Legacy LLC and disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held by RCF 2014 Legacy LLC except to the extent of his pecuniary



interest therein. Mr. Trafelet’s beneficial ownership also includes 24,460 shares received under the Directors Stock Compensation PlanSEC pursuant to his election to receive shares in lieu of cash fees.

(11)    The amounts shown for Mr. Kiernan represent shares received under restricted stock award agreements. Approximately 5,667 of the indicated shares are vested as of January 15, 2019.

Regulation 14A.

Equity Compensation Arrangements


Effective January 27, 2015, the Board of Directors adopted the 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”) which provides for up to 1,250,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to be available for issuance to provide a long-term incentive plan for officers, employees, directors and/or consultants to directly link incentives to stockholders' value. The 2015 Plan was approved by stockholders in February 2015. The adoption of the 2015 Plan supersedes the 2013 Incentive Equity Plan, which had been in place since April 2013.


The following table illustrates the common shares remaining available for future issuance under the 2015 Plan:Plan as of September 30, 2020:

 

 

Number of securities to

be issued upon exercise

of outstanding options,

warrants and rights

 

 

Weighted-average

exercise price of

outstanding options,

warrants and rights

 

 

Number of securities

remaining available for

future issuance under

equity plans

 

Plan Category:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

 

 

293,000

 

 

$

32.09

 

 

 

939,500

 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

Total

 

 

293,000

 

 

$

32.09

 

 

 

939,500

 

In November 2017, the Company awarded 5,000 restricted shares to one senior executive under the 2015 Plan.

In September 2018, the Company awarded 300,000 stock options to two senior executives under the 2015 Plan. Additionally, in September 2018, two other senior executives forfeited an aggregate of 375,000 stock options, which were originally issued under the 2015 Plan and no replacement options were granted.

In October 2018, the Company awarded 10,000 stock options to one senior executive under the 2015 Plan.


 Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options,
 warrants and rights
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
Number of securities
remaining available for future issuance under equity plans
Plan Category:   
     Equity compensation plans approved by security holders675,000
$30.02
557,500
     Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
N/A

Total675,000
$30.02
557,500




In October 2019, the Company awarded 118,000 stock options to senior managers and certain other managers under the 2015 Plan.  Additionally, in each of February 2020 and August 2020, one former senior executive forfeited 26,250 stock options, aggregating 52,500 in total, which were originally issued under the 2015 Plan and no replacement options were granted.

In February 2019, pursuant to a settlement agreement, a senior executive of the Company forfeited an aggregate of 457,500 stock options, which were originally issued under the 2015 Plan and no replacement options were granted.


Director Independence

As of November 19, 2018, we no longer qualify as a “Controlled Company” under Nasdaq listing rules. Although we currently comply with certain of the Nasdaq listing rules applicable to companies that are not Controlled Companies, there are certain exemptions for Controlled Companies that we no longer benefit from, including that the Nasdaq listing rules require that each of the Compensation

The information concerning relationships and Nominating and Governance Committees be composed of at least a majority of Independent Directors within 90 days of the date on which we no longer qualified as a “Controlled Company” and that each such committee be composed entirely of independent directors within one year of such date. During these transition periods, we will continue to qualify for and may continue to utilize the available exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements as permitted by the Nasdaq listing rules. As indicated above, our Compensation Committee is already composed entirely of independent Directors. By February 17, 2019, we intend to adjust the composition of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to be composed of at least a majority of independent Directors and by November 19, 2019, we intend to adjust the composition to be composed of all independent Directors.


To be considered independent under Nasdaq rules, a Director may not be employed by Alico or engage in certain types of business dealings with Alico. In addition,related transactions as required by Nasdaq rules, the Board of Directorsthis Item 13 is requiredhereby incorporated by reference to make an affirmative determination that the Director has no relationships that would interfereour Proxy Statement to be filed with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities as a Director.

The Board of Directors has determined that there are no material relationships between the Company and each of Messrs. Eisner, Krusen and Sambuco. Accordingly, Messrs. Eisner, Krusen and Sambuco qualify as, and are determined to be, independent in accordance with the Nasdaq listing rules and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
It is the policy of the Board of Directors to have separate meetings for Independent Directors at least twice a year and at other times as requested by an Independent Director. Each meeting shall be led by a chairman chosen pro tem by the Independent Directors. The Company met this requirement during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018.

Related Person Transaction Policy

Alico may engage in a transaction or series of transactions with our directors, executive officers and certain persons related to them. All such transactions are subject to approval or ratification in accordance with a written related person transaction policy adopted by the Board of Directors. This policy defines a “related person” as: (1) any person who is, or at any time since the beginning of Alico’s last fiscal year was, a director or executive officer of Alico or a nominee to become a Director of Alico; (2) any person who is known to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of Alico’s voting securities; (3) any immediate family member of any of the foregoing persons, and any person (other than domestic employees or tenant) sharing the household of such person; and (4) any firm, corporation or other entity in which any of the foregoing persons is employed or is a partner or principal or in a similar position or in which such person has a 5% or greater beneficial ownership interest. This policy defines a “related person transaction” as a transaction, arrangement or relationship (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships) that occurred since the beginning of Alico’s most recent fiscal year in which (1) Alico was, is or will be a participant, (2) the aggregate amount involved will or may be expected to exceed $120,000 in any calendar year; and (3) any related person had, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

Under Alico’s policy, all related person transactions are to be approved by the Audit Committee or an ad hoc subcommittee comprised of independent directors (including at least one audit committee financial expert) in certain circumstances. In reviewing related person transactions, the Audit Committee or ad hoc subcommittee will consider all relevant material facts and circumstances available to it, including the benefits of the transaction to Alico, the nature and extent of the related person interest, the impact on any interested Director’s independence and judgment to act in the best interests of Alico and whether the transaction is on terms no less favorable than those generally available to an unaffiliated third party under similar circumstances. The following transactions were pre-approved under this policy, subject to certain limitations: (1) employment of executive officers if compensation is required to be reported in Alico’s Annual Report on Form 10-K or Alico’s proxy statement or if the officer is not an immediate family member of a related person and the compensation was approved or recommended for approval by the Compensation Committee; (2) Director compensation or reimbursement and reimbursement of expenses in connection with such service if consistent with a Board of Directors-approved reimbursement policy; (3) reimbursement of employee expenses if consistent with a Board of Directors-approved reimbursement policy; (4) transactions where the related person’s interest arises solely from owning Alico common stock and all holders of Alico common stock receive the same benefit on a pro rata basis; (5) transactions available to all Alico employees generally; (6) charitable contributions, grants or endowments to an organization where the related person is an employee or director (but not an executive officer) if the aggregate amount does not exceed the lesser of $200,000 or 2% of


the organization’s total annual receipts, expenditure or assets; and (7) transactions previously approved by the Audit Committee prior to the adoption of the policy.

In addition, the policy provides that the Audit Committee or ad hoc subcommittee, as applicable, will not approve or recommend a “subject transaction” (as defined below) during the period ending on the earlier of September 2020 and the date when the “investor group” (as defined below) files an amended Schedule 13D indicating an aggregate voting interest in Alico of less than 40% unless the definitive transaction agreement related to it expressly conditions the closing of the subject transaction on the receipt of the affirmative vote of a majority of shares of Alico common stock voted on the matter that are not held beneficially or of record by the investor group. For this purpose, the “investor group” means (1) any officer, manager or controlled affiliate of 734 Investors, LLC, (2) any officer, manager or member of 734 Agriculture, LLC, or any of their controlled affiliates, or (3) any immediate family members of the foregoing, and a “subject transaction” means a transaction in which a related person that is also a member of the investor group proposes to transfer or dispose of to Alico any business, assets or properties owned or controlled by that related person and involves consideration payable by Alico in excess of $200 million to such related person, or would involve the issuance to such related person of more than 20% of Alico’s outstanding common stock (after giving effect to the stock issuance).

734 Investors and 734 Agriculture

On November 19, 2013, 734 Agriculture and its affiliates, including 734 Investors, acquired all of the approximately 51% of Alico’s common stock then owned by Atlanticblue Group, Inc. (the “Share Purchase”). 734 Investors now beneficially owns approximately 42.6% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock. 734 Agriculture is the managing member of 734 Investors. Pursuant to a stipulated status quo order agreed to by the parties to a lawsuit in the Delaware Court of Chancery captioned In re 734 Investors, LLC Litigation, Consol. C.A. No. 2018-0844-JTL, 734 Agriculture may not take any actions outside of the ordinary course of business of 734 Investors without the consent of two-thirds of the membership interests of 734 Investors, including exercising any voting rights with respect to any shares beneficially owned by 734 Investors.

Shared Services Agreement

Effective January 1, 2018, Alico and Trafelet Brokaw Capital Management, L.P. (“TBCM”) entered into a shared services agreement under which TBCM provides shared office space at TBCM’s offices in New York, New York and certain related administrative support services to Alico. Messrs. Brokaw and Trafelet, who are Directors and are executive officers of Alico, were the Managing Partners of TBCM. Alico reimburses TBCM for TBCM’s actual costs of providing office space and providing such administrative services (including internal allocations), in consultation with Alico. The initial term of the agreement is for one year and is thereafter automatically renewed for additional 1-year periods unless terminated by Alico. During fiscal year 2018, Alico paid approximately $592,000 to TBCMSEC pursuant to the shared services agreement. On November 19, 2018, the Board of Directors elected not to extend the shared services agreement beyond December 31, 2018.




Regulation 14A.

Item 14. Principal AccountingAccountants Fees and Services


Fees incurred relating to

Information concerning principal accounting fees and services providedas required by RSM US LLP for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:


 20182017
Audit Fees(1)
$373,500
$429,170
Audit Related Fees(2)
$31,500
$14,832
Tax Fees(3)
$
$
All Other Fees(4)
$
$
Total$405,000
$444,002

(1)Audit fees include the aggregate fees billed by RSM US LLP for professional services and expenses rendered for the annual audit and quarterly reviews of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 and assessment of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting and services that are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.

(2)Audit-related fees billed by RSM US LLP for assurance and related services that were reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

(3)RSM US LLP did not render or bill for professional services rendered for tax compliance, advice and planning services for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

(4)RSM US LLP did not render or bill for any services other than those listed above for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

The Audit Committee Charter requires that the Audit Committee pre-approve all services performedthis Item 14 is hereby incorporated by the Company’s registered public accounting firm. To fulfill that requirement, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, RSM US LLP, provides a proposalreference to the Audit Committee for all services it proposesProxy Statement to provide andbe filed with the Audit Committee then approves the proposal as appropriate. During fiscal years 2018 and 2017, 100% of the services provided by RSM US LLP were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A.





PART IV


Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

(a)

Documents filed as part of this report


(1)

Financial Statements:

(a) The following documents were filed as part of the Original Filing:

1.

Our Consolidated Financial Statements. The consolidated financial statements required to be filed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are

included in Part II, Item 8 of the Original Filing.

2. Financial Statement Schedules. The financial statement schedules required to be filed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(2)

Financial Statement Schedules:

Financial statement schedules are omitted as the Original Filing.required information is either inapplicable or the information is presented in our Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.

(3)

Exhibits


3. Exhibits.

The exhibits listed on the Exhibit Index of the Original Filing.


(b) The exhibit list in the Exhibit Index immediately preceding the signature page of this Amendmentin (b) below are being filed or incorporated by reference as part of this Amendment.



Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(b)

Exhibit Index

Exhibit

Number

Exhibit Index

    2.1***

Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Index
2.1***   

2.2

    2.2***

***

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.4

3.5

10.1

    4.1

  10.1

Credit Agreement dated as of December 1, 2014, by and between Alico, Inc., Alico-Agri, Ltd., Alico Plant World, L.L.C., Alico Fruit Company, L.L.C., Alico Land Development, Inc., and Alico Citrus Nursery, L.L.C., as Borrowers and Rabo Agrifinance, Inc., as Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Alico’sAlico's filing on Form 8-K dated December 5, 2014)

10.2

10.3

  10.3*

*

10.4

  10.4*

*

10.5

10.6

  10.6***

***   

10.7

  10.7***

***


10.8

10.9

10.10

10.11



  10.12

10.12

10.13

10.14

10.15

10.16

10.17

10.18

10.19

10.20

10.21

10.22

10.23

10.24

10.25

10.26

  10.26***

10.27

  10.28

Renewal Promissory Note by Alico, Inc., Alico-Agri, Ltd., Alico Plant World, L.L.C., Alico Fruit Company, LLC, Alico Land Development Inc., and Alico Citrus Nursery, LLC in favor of Rabo Agrifinance, LLC (f/k/a Rabo Agrifinance, Inc.) dated September 30, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 of Alico's filing on Form 10-K dated December 6, 2016)

  10.29

Second Renewal Promissory Note by Alico, Inc., Alico-Agri, Ltd., Alico Plant World, L.L.C., Alico Fruit Company, LLC, Alico Land Development Inc., and Alico Citrus Nursery, LLC in favor of Rabo Agrifinance, LLC (f/k/a Rabo Agrifinance, Inc.) dated September 6, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.39 of Alico's filing on Form 10-K dated December 11, 2017)


  10.30

Third Renewal Promissory Note by Alico, Inc., Alico-Agri, Ltd., Alico Plant World, L.L.C., Alico Fruit Company, LLC, Alico Land Development Inc., and Alico Citrus Nursery, LLC in favor of Rabo Agrifinance, LLC (f/k/a Rabo Agrifinance, Inc.) dated September 26, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 of Alico’s filing on Form 10-K dated December 6, 2016)2018)



  10.31*

Employment Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between Alico, Inc. and John Kiernan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 1, 2015)

10.28

  10.32*

  10.33*

Employment Agreement dated December 31, 2016 between Alico, Inc. and Remy W. Trafelet (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 4, 2017)

  10.34*

Employment Agreement dated December 31, 2016 between Alico, Inc. and Henry R. Slack (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 4, 2017)

  10.35*

Employment Agreement dated March 27, 2013 between Alico, Inc. and George R. Brokaw (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 4, 2017)

  10.36*

Employment Agreement dated December 2, 2019 between Alico, Inc. and Richard Rallo (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 of Alico’s filing on Form 10-K dated December 5, 2019)

  10.37

Supplement No. 1 dated as of September 30, 2016, to the Security Agreement dated as of December 1, 2014 by and among Alico, Inc., Alico-Agri, Ltd., Alico Plant World, L.L.C., Alico Fruit Company, LLC, Alico Land Development Inc., Alico Citrus Nursery, LLC and Rabo Agrifinance, LLC (f/k/a Rabo Agrifinance, Inc.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 of Alico’sAlico's filing on Form 10-K dated December 6, 2016)

10.29

  10.38

10.30

  10.39

10.31
10.32
10.33
10.34
10.35

10.36

  10.40

10.37

10.38

  10.41

10.39

  10.42

10.40

  10.43

21.0

  10.44

  10.45

Tenth Amendment and Waiver to Credit Agreement by and among Alico, Inc., Alico-Agri, Ltd., Alico Plant World, L.L.C., Alico Fruit Company, LLC, Alico Land Development Inc., Alico Citrus Nursery, LLC and Rabo Agrifinance, LLC (f/k/a Rabo Agrifinance, Inc.) dated August 25, 2020

  10.46

Settlement Agreement and Release, dated as of February 11, 2019, by and among Alico, Inc., George R. Brokaw, R. Greg Eisner, Benjamin D. Fishman, W. Andrew Krusen, Henry R. Slack, Remy W. Trafelet , 734 Agriculture, LLC, RCF 2014 Legacy LLC and Delta Offshore Master II, LTD (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Original Filing)Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 11, 2019.)

23.0

  10.47

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of February 11, 2019, by and between Alico, Inc. and Remy W. Trafelet (incorporated by reference from Exhibit C to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 11, 2019).

  10.48

Consulting Agreement, dated as of February 11, 2019, by and among Alico, Inc., 3584 Inc., and Remy W. Trafelet (incorporated by reference from Exhibit B to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 11, 2019).

  10.49*

Alico, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan of 2015 (incorporated by reference from Appendix A to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on January 28, 2015).

  10.50*

Form of NonqualifiedStock Option Agreement

  10.51*

Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement

  10.52*

Form of Restricted Stock Agreement

  10.53+

Alico, Inc. Orange Purchase Agreement R512 - May 20, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 21, 2019)


  10.54+

Alico, Inc. Orange Purchase Agreement R514 - May 18, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 21, 2019)

  10.55

Option Agreement for sale and purchase (incorporate by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Alico’s filing on Form 10-Q dated August 6, 2020)

  21.0

Subsidiaries of the Registrant

  23.0

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Original Filing)

31.1

31.2

31.3

  32.1

****



*

Denotes a management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement.

**

In accordance with Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) documents are furnished and not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and otherwise are not subject to liability under these sections.

***

Certain schedules and exhibits have been omitted from this filing pursuant to Item 601(b) (2) of Regulation S-K. The Company will furnish supplemental copies of any such schedules or exhibits to the SEC upon request.

****Filed herewith.

+

Pursuant to Item 601(b)(10)(iv) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC, certain portions of this exhibit have been redacted. The Company hereby agrees to furnish supplementally to the SEC, upon its request, an unredacted copy of this exhibit.

Item 16. Form 10-K Summary

Not applicable.



Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

ALICO, INC. (Registrant)

January 25, 2019

December 8, 2020

By:

/s/ John E. Kiernan

John E. Kiernan

President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated:

December 8, 2020

President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ John E. Kiernan

John E. Kiernan

December 8, 2020

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

/s/ Richard Rallo

Richard Rallo

December 8, 2020

Director: Executive Chairman

/s/ Benjamin D. Fishman

Benjamin D. Fishman

December 8, 2020

Director

/s/ George R. Brokaw 

George R. Brokaw

December 8, 2020

Director

/s/ R. Greg Eisner 

R. Greg Eisner

December 8, 2020

Director

/s/ Henry R. Slack

Henry R. Slack

December 8, 2020

Director

/s/ W. Andrew Krusen 

Executive Chairman

W. Andrew Krusen


December 8, 2020

Director

/s/ Toby K. Purse

Toby K. Purse

December 8, 2020

Director

/s/ Katherine English 

Katherine English

December 8, 2020

Director

/s/ Adam Putnam 

Adam Putnam


33

82