Risk Factors Dashboard
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Risk Factors - ALCO
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Item 1A. Risk Factors
Cybersecurity Risk Management and Strategy
We have developed and implemented a cybersecurity risk management program intended to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our critical systems and information.
We have not identified risks from known cybersecurity threats, including as a result of any prior cybersecurity incidents, that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect us, including our operations, business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. We face risks from cybersecurity threats that, if realized, are reasonably likely to materially affect us, including our operations, business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. See “Risk Factors – System security risks, data protection breaches, cybersecurity incidents 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.”
Our Board considers cybersecurity risk as part of its risk oversight function and has delegated to the Audit Committee (the "Committee ") oversight of cybersecurity and other information technology risks. The Committee oversees management’s implementation of our cybersecurity risk management program.
The Committee receives periodic reports from management on our cybersecurity risks. In addition, management updates the Committee, as necessary, regarding any significant cybersecurity incidents, as well as any incidents with lesser impact potential.
Our management team, including our CIO, is responsible for assessing and managing our material risks from cybersecurity threats. The team has primary responsibility for our overall cybersecurity risk management program and supervises both our internal cybersecurity personnel and our retained external cybersecurity consultants and vendors. Our management team’s experience includes 30+ years network and cyber security experience and our CIO is a member of the Homeland Security InfraGard program. Specifically, our CIO has served in his role at the Company for approximately ten years. Prior to joining the Company, he served as the CIO of a research-based consulting firm for over ten years, Director of Information Technology at a life sciences equipment manufacturing company for over one year, and a Manager of Advanced and Emerging Technology at a Fortune 200 manufacturing company for over four years. Further, our CEO has decades of prior experience in management roles in technology companies and has earned the CERT Certificate in Cyber-Risk Oversight from the National Association of Corporate Directors. The Chair of our Audit Committee has eight years of experience managing information technology teams.
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, together with the information set forth elsewhere in this Annual Report, and with our other filings with the SEC. The realization of any of these risks and uncertainties could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition, results of operations, growth and future prospects, as well as our ability to accomplish our strategic objectives.
Risks Related to our Business
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 have included, for example, beginning in 2023 a multi-year entitlement process for our approximately 4,600-acre grove near Fort Myers, in Collier County, which has included, but is not limited to, the completion of environmental assessments, the development of conservation strategies, the preparation of market assessments to facilitate planning and beginning to conduct selective stakeholder outreach efforts. For example, in 2023 we began a multi-year entitlement process for our 4,500-acre grove near Fort Myers, in Collier County, which has included, but is not limited to, the completion of environmental assessments, the development of conservation strategies, the preparation of market assessments to facilitate planning and beginning to conduct selective stakeholder outreach efforts. In addition, on January 6, 2025, we announced a Strategic Transformation in the Company’s business focus, to wind down our Alico Citrus division, which holds our citrus production operations, to focus on our long-term diversified land usage and real estate development strategy (the “Strategic Transformation”). Due to increasing financial challenges from citrus greening disease and environmental factors for many seasons, we have decided to not spend further material capital on our citrus operations and plan to substantially wind down Alico Citrus’ primary operations after completion of the 2024-2025 harvest in April 2025, including reducing most of our citrus production workforce. Moreover, in May 2025, we entered into a Mutual Contract Termination Agreement with Tropicana, terminating our agreement with Tropicana in its entirety following the fulfillment of all obligations under that agreement concerning the 2024/2025 Crop Year and all outstanding amounts had been settled by June 30, 2025. We expect to maintain our commitment to the Florida agriculture industry through diversified farming operations on nearly all our land holdings following this citrus production transition. We also expect to entitle certain parcels of our land for commercial and residential development.
Successfully executing our diversified land usage and real estate development strategy will depend on many factors, including our ability to:
•secure necessary regulatory approvals and permits for land development projects;
•effectively manage and allocate resources to new business initiatives;
•attract and retain skilled personnel with expertise in diversified land usage and real estate development;
•navigate potential market fluctuations and economic conditions;
•manage our commercial relationships and comply with our obligations under agreements with our commercial counterparties, as well as real estate acquirers and developers; maintain strong relationships with lenders and continue to satisfy covenants and conditions under current loan agreements; and
•address potential environmental and zoning matters, and other challenges inherent in real estate development.
The Strategic Transformation and other strategic initiatives that may relate to the management and utilization of our land may not be successful in generating revenues or improving operating profit and, if they are, it may take longer than anticipated. This and other strategic initiatives may relate to the management and utilization of our land and 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 the Strategic Transformation or any other 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. 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.
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Our workforce reduction may not result in our intended outcomes and may yield unintended consequences and additional costs.
In connection with the Strategic Transformation, on January 3, 2025, the Board approved a reduction in the Company’s workforce by up to 172 employees, effective between January 6, 2025 and April 1, 2025 (the “Workforce Reduction”). The Company has incurred aggregate charges of $2,638 in connection with the Workforce Reduction, primarily consisting of severance payments, employee benefits and related costs.
The Company may incur additional expenses not currently contemplated due to events associated with the Workforce Reduction. The charges that the Company expects to incur in connection with the Workforce Reduction are estimates and subject to a number of assumptions, and actual results may differ materially. The Workforce Reduction may result in unintended consequences and costs, such as the loss of institutional knowledge and expertise, attrition beyond the intended number of employees, decreased morale among our remaining employees, and the risk that we may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the Workforce Reduction. In addition, while positions have been eliminated, certain functions necessary to our operations remain, and we may be unsuccessful in distributing the duties and obligations of departed employees among our remaining employees. The Workforce Reduction could also make it difficult for us to pursue, or prevent us from pursuing, new opportunities and initiatives due to insufficient personnel, or require us to incur additional and unanticipated costs to hire new personnel to pursue such opportunities or initiatives. The Workforce Reduction could also harm our reputation, making our ability to recruit skilled personnel difficult. If we are unable to realize the anticipated benefits from the Workforce Reduction, or if we experience significant adverse consequences from the Workforce Reduction, our business, financial condition, and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.
Adverse weather conditions, natural disasters and other natural conditions, including the effects of climate change and weather events, particularly because our properties are geographically concentrated in Florida, have in the past and could in the future impose significant costs and losses on our business and adversely affect our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.Risks Related to our BusinessAdverse weather conditions, natural disasters and other natural conditions, including the effects of climate change and hurricanes and tropical storms, particularly because our citrus groves are geographically concentrated in Florida, could impose significant costs and losses on our business and adversely affect our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
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 past. 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 have in the past and could in the future 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. 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 properties are concentrated in central and south Florida, with our groves located in parcels in DeSoto, Polk, Collier, Hendry, Charlotte, Highlands, and Hardee Counties.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 properties are located in close proximity to each other, the impact of adverse weather conditions has been and may continue to be material to our results of operations, financial position and cash flows. 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, tropical storms, floods, unusually heavy or prolonged rain, droughts and heat waves, among other weather events. Florida is particularly susceptible to the occurrence of hurricanes and tropical storms. Depending on where any particular weather event makes landfall, our properties have in the past and could in the future experience significant, if not catastrophic, damage. Depending on where any particular hurricane or tropical storm makes landfall, our properties have in the past and could in the future experience significant, if not catastrophic damage. Such damage could materially affect our operations, could result in a loss of operating revenues from those products for a multi-year period, and have in the past and may lead to inventory impairment charges. 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. For instance, recent Hurricane Milton had a material adverse effect on the fruit production from our trees for the 2024-2025 harvest season and, potentially to a lesser extent, the next season and future seasons. For instance, recent Hurricane Ian had a material adverse effect on the fruit production from our trees for the 2023 harvest season and, potentially to a lesser extent, the next season and future seasons. We seek to minimize risk by the purchase of insurance contracts, but a significant portion of our crops remain uninsured. We seek to minimize hurricane risk by the purchase of insurance contracts, but a significant portion of our crops remain uninsured. Given the significant impact of these conditions, we have evaluated and may continue to evaluate strategic options for the management and utilization of our land. Given the significant impact of these conditions, we may evaluate strategic options for the management and utilization of our land. In January 2025, we announced the Strategic Transformation, under which we plan to wind down our Alico Citrus division and in May 2025, we entered into a Mutual Contract Termination Agreement with Tropicana, terminating our agreement with them in its entirety.
As we transition our strategy toward land development, adverse weather and climate-related events can also affect the timing, feasibility and economics of our land initiatives. Flooding, storm surge, and extreme precipitation can damage or delay infrastructure (e.g., roads, drainage, utilities), increase carrying and remediation costs, and necessitate design changes, additional mitigation or re‑permitting. Property and flood insurance availability and pricing, as well as buyer financing conditions and market absorption, may tighten following major storms, which can delay or reduce expected sale proceeds or lead to terminated contracts. Any of these developments could increase costs, defer revenues, or negatively affect valuations and project returns. Accordingly, adverse weather conditions may affect our results of operations and financial position in both our remaining citrus activities but also in connection with our long‑term land sales and development strategy.
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A significant portion of our revenues are historically derived from our citrus business and our Strategic Transformation involves expected significant revenue shift to real estate development and diversified farming operations and any adverse event affecting these areas could disproportionately harm our business.
Our revenues from our citrus business were 96.0% and 92.0%, of our operating revenues in the years ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Our citrus division has historically been one of the largest citrus producers in the United States, and because of the significance of the revenues derived from this business, we are vulnerable to adverse events or market conditions affecting our citrus business, or the citrus industry, generally, which could have a significant adversely impact on our overall results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. 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 vulnerable to adverse events or market conditions affecting our citrus business, in particular, or the citrus business, generally, which could have a significant adversely impact on our overall results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
In January 2025, we announced the Strategic Transformation in the Company’s business focus, to wind down our Alico Citrus division, which holds our citrus production operations, to focus on our long-term diversified land usage and real estate development strategy. In May 2025, we entered into a Mutual Contract Termination Agreement with Tropicana, terminating our agreement with them in its entirety following the fulfillment of all obligations under that agreement concerning the 2024/2025 Crop Year. Consequently, we expect a significant portion of our future revenues to come from land usage and real estate development. We face risks associated with this transition of revenues toward land development activities, and adverse events or market conditions affecting these areas could negatively impact our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.
The land development business is highly competitive, and we cannot assure you that we will maintain our current market share.
Many companies compete in our different businesses. As we transition our primary focus toward land development, we may face intense competition from regional and national landowners and developers, private equity and infrastructure investors, as well as from other agricultural operators for leases and farm-related opportunities. Competitors may have greater access to capital, larger inventories of entitled land, established development platforms, more extensive relationships with municipalities and utilities, and stronger sales, brokerage and marketing channels 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 competitors may have greater operating flexibility, including larger development teams and contractor networks, which can enable faster permitting, infrastructure delivery and project phasing, and quicker responses to changing market conditions.
•Competitors may have access to greater financial resources, lower financing costs, and larger inventories of entitled or improved land, allowing more aggressive pricing or larger incentives.
•Demand for lots and land is sensitive to mortgage rates and availability of buyer financing; competitors that can offer preferable terms may attract buyers and partners more readily.
•Competitors with longer-standing relationships, reputations or prior approvals in a jurisdiction may experience more efficient approval processes.
•Complex land use approvals and environmental permitting can extend timelines, increase costs or require changes to plans and community opposition or litigation may further delay or limit projects.
•We also compete for tenants and counterparties on grazing, farming, hunting and mining leases, where competitors may offer lower rents, better terms, or land with superior access, water availability or improvements.
There can be no assurance that we will continue to compete effectively with present or future competitors.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. In connection with our Strategic Transformation, increased competition for development partners, approvals, buyer interest and lease counterparties could pressure pricing, extend sales cycles, increase incentives, lengthen timelines, or require higher up‑front investment, any of which could adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. Our ability to compete may also be constrained by our liquidity and leverage profile and the covenants in our credit facilities.
Harm to our reputation could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Maintaining a strong reputation with fruit processors, land buyers, development partners, lessors, tenants, lenders, and governmental, community stakeholders and other third-party partners is critical to the success of our business. We devote significant time and resources to training programs, relating to, among other things, ethics, compliance and product safety and quality, as well as sustainability goals, and have published ESG goals (i.e., environmental, social and governance), including relating to environmental impact and sustainability, as part of our ESG strategy., environmental, social and governance), including relating to environmental impact and sustainability and inclusion and diversity, as part of our ESG strategy. Despite these efforts, we may not be successful in achieving our goals, may modify or terminate any of these goals, might provide materially inaccurate information, or might receive negative publicity about the Company, including relating to product safety, quality, efficacy, ESG or similar issues, whether real or perceived, and reputational damage could occur. In addition, our products could face
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withdrawal, recall or other quality issues, which could lead to decreased demand for our products or services and reputational damage. Furthermore, anti-ESG or anti-diversity, equity and inclusion sentiment is gaining momentum across the United States, with several states having enacted or proposed anti-ESG or anti-DEI policies or legislation, and several state and federal governmental authorities filing suit alleging that ESG or DEI measures or initiatives violate law. Given the breadth and divergence of views, policies, legislation and regulation regarding ESG matters, we could be sued for our ESG, including our human capital management policies and/or programs, be it for the scope of such initiatives or goals or the perception of not acting in a sufficiently responsible manner in connection with these matters. If we were sued under any of these claims, our financial condition, reputation or business could be adversely impacted.
In addition, as our strategy shifts toward land sales, leasing and real estate development, reputational standing also influences our ability to advance entitlements and permits, secure development partners and buyer interest, obtain lender support, and maintain constructive relationships with local communities and agencies. Adverse publicity or perceived misalignment with environmental or community expectations could delay approvals, increase costs, reduce demand, or otherwise negatively affect project outcomes.
Widespread use of social media and networking sites by advocates and opponents has greatly increased the accessibility and speed of dissemination of information. Widespread use of social media and networking sites by consumers has greatly increased the accessibility and speed of dissemination of information. Negative publicity, posts or comments about the Company, whether accurate or inaccurate, or disclosure of non-public sensitive information about the Company, could be widely disseminated through the use of social media or in other formats.
If a transaction intended to qualify as a Section 1031 Exchange is later determined to be taxable or if we are unable to identify and complete the acquisition of a suitable replacement property to effect a Section 1031 Exchange, 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 for tax deferral under Section 1031 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code,” and each such transaction, a “Section 1031 Exchange”). It is possible that the qualification of a transaction as a Section 1031 Exchange could be successfully challenged by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and determined to be currently taxable or that we may be unable to identify and complete the acquisition of a suitable replacement property to effect a Section 1031 Exchange. In such case, if there are no alternatives available to us (including the use of our net operating loss carryforwards), we may have to pay corporate income tax with respect to the disposition of such properties, 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. In addition, if a Section 1031 Exchange was later determined to be taxable, we may be required to amend our tax returns for the applicable year in question, including any information reports we sent the Company’s stockholders. 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. If we are unable to complete transactions as Section 1031 Exchanges, our taxable income and earnings and profits could increase, which would increase the portion of any distribution with respect to our common stock that is treated as dividend income instead of return of capital.
Our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards and certain other tax attributes may be limited.
In general, under Sections 382 and 383 of the Code, a corporation that undergoes an “ownership change” is subject to limitations on its ability to utilize its pre-change net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) and other tax attributes to offset future taxable income and income taxes, respectively. An “ownership change” occurs when a corporation’s “5-percent shareholders” (as defined in Section 382 of the Code) collectively increase their ownership in the corporation by more than 50 percentage points (by value) over a rolling three-year period. Similar limitations may apply for state tax purposes. If we have undergone any such ownership changes, or if we undergo such ownership changes in the future, our ability to utilize our NOLs and any other tax attributes could be limited by Sections 382 and 383 of the Code and similar provisions of state tax law. We may experience ownership changes in the future as a result of subsequent shifts in our stock ownership, some of which shifts are outside of our control. In addition, at the state level, there may be periods during which the use of NOLs is suspended or otherwise limited.
As of September 30, 2025, we had federal NOLs of approximately $45,362 and state NOLs of approximately $42,631, some of which NOLs may be at risk of limitation in the event of a past or future ownership change. In general, NOLs in one state cannot be used to offset income in any other state. Accordingly, we may be subject to tax in certain jurisdictions even if we have unused NOLs in other jurisdictions. Each jurisdiction in which we operate may have its own limitations on our ability to utilize NOLs or tax credit carryovers generated in that jurisdiction. These limitations may increase our federal, state, and/or foreign income tax liability.
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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 disposition of operating businesses and assets and may in the future undertake one or more significant transactions, which could be material to our business and could take any number of forms, including asset sales, mergers, or the sale of equity interests.
These transactions may present significant risks such as potential loss of significant operating revenues and income streams, 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 and there can be no assurance that any proposed dispositions will be completed on the terms currently contemplated, or at all. In addition, such transactions could distract management from current operations. The completion of any disposition is subject to various conditions and uncertainties. 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.
We also routinely evaluate the benefits of disposing of certain of our assets, which could include the exit from lines of business. We also routinely evaluate the benefits of disposing of certain of our assets, which could include the exit from lines of business. Such dispositions could (i) result in a potential loss of significant operating revenues and income streams that we might not be able to replace, (ii) make our business less diversified, and (iii) ultimately have a negative impact on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
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, are subject to less environmental regulation, and, in some instances, have 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 supply, demand and pricing dynamics for land sales, leasing and development activities, as well as any remaining agricultural products.
Our near‑ and long‑term results will depend increasingly on supply, demand and pricing for land sales, agricultural and other leases, and the pace and economics of our land entitlement and development activities. Market conditions for land are cyclical and sensitive to interest rates, availability and cost of buyer financing, local absorption, demographic trends, and broader macroeconomic conditions. Periods of higher interest rates or reduced capital availability can depress transaction volumes, lengthen marketing periods, and pressure pricing for land sales. Entitlement and permitting timelines, and required infrastructure investments (roads, utilities, water management and environmental mitigation), can vary materially by parcel and jurisdiction and may delay or increase the cost of realizing expected values.
Leasing and royalty revenues (including grazing, farming, hunting, mining and oil rights) are exposed to changes in commodity prices, tenant demand and renewal terms, and the availability and cost of water. Environmental, wildlife, wetlands and water‑management requirements, as well as federal and state agency reviews and approvals, can affect both timing and feasibility of land uses and development plans. Increases in construction, materials, labor or infrastructure costs could reduce project returns or cause us to defer or forego otherwise attractive opportunities.
Following our Strategic Transformation, we have substantially wound down our citrus operations; however, we may continue to have limited exposure to agricultural market dynamics (including weather‑related events and disease pressure) on remaining citrus or other agricultural activities. These factors, individually or in combination, could reduce pricing, extend sales cycles, increase carrying and development costs, lower lease rates or volumes, and adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
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
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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 has resulted in and may result in more regional, federal, and global legal and regulatory requirements to reduce or mitigate the effects of greenhouse gases or climate change. The increasing concern over climate change also may result in more 16Table of Contentsregional, federal, and/or global legal and regulatory requirements to reduce or mitigate the effects of greenhouse gases or climate change. In light of such regulation and legal requirements, we may experience significant increases in our compliance costs, costs of operations, including, but not limited to, increased energy, environmental, and other costs and capital expenditures, as well as could lead to increased litigation risks related to disclosures made pursuant to this regulation and/or legal requirements, any of which could materially and adversely affect our financial performance. 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 financial condition and results of operations.
ESG issues, including those related to our workforce and sustainability, may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows and damage our reputation.
Companies across all industries are facing increasing, evolving, and diverging scrutiny relating to their ESG policies, initiatives and disclosures from governments, regulators, investors, consumers, employees and other stakeholders. Increased and varied focus and activism may hinder our access to capital, as investors may reconsider their capital investment as a result of their assessment of our ESG practices, or due to our focus on ESG practices at all. Increased and varied focus and activism related to ESG may hinder our access to capital, as investors may reconsider their capital investment as a result of their assessment of our ESG practices, or due to our focus on ESG practices at all. In particular, certain customers, investors and other stakeholders are increasingly focusing on environmental issues, including climate change, water use, deforestation, microplastics, plastic waste, and other sustainability concerns. However, increasingly, different stakeholder groups have divergent views, which increases the risk that any action or lack thereof with respect to ESG matters will be perceived negatively by at least some stakeholders and adversely impact our reputation and business. There have also been changing consumer preferences for natural or organic products and ingredients and increased consumer concerns or perceptions (whether accurate or inaccurate) regarding the effects of substances present in certain consumer products. Responding to and complying with these preferences, concerns and demands could cause us to incur additional costs or to make changes to our operations that could negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, the increased emphasis by some stakeholders on ESG matters has resulted in, and may continue to result in, the adoption of laws, regulations, and executive orders, which may include reporting requirements, which may not always be uniform across jurisdictions, and which could lead to increased compliance costs, as well as increased scrutiny regarding our ESG activities and disclosures, which may lead to increased litigation risks. Moreover, while we may create and publish voluntary disclosures regarding ESG matters from time to time, many of the statements in those voluntary disclosures are based on hypothetical expectations and assumptions that may or may not be representative of current or actual risks or events or forecasts of expected risks or events, including the costs associated therewith. Such expectations and assumptions are necessarily uncertain and may be prone to error or subject to misinterpretation given the long timelines involved and the lack of an established single approach to identifying, measuring and reporting on many ESG matters. Such disclosures may also be at least partially reliant on third-party information that we have not independently verified or cannot currently be independently verified. If we do not adapt to or comply with new regulations or fail to meet our ESG goals, or meet the evolving investor, industry or stakeholder expectations and standards, or if we are perceived to have not responded appropriately to the evolving concern for, or perception of ESG issues, fruit processors and consumers may choose to stop purchasing our products or purchase products from another company or a competitor, and our reputation, business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows may be adversely affected.
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.
For the years ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, we paid $2,256 and $2,659, 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 $86,434 and $81,628 for the years ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, which differs significantly from the fair values determined by the county property appraisers of $352,690 and $352,379, 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 and adversely impact our results of operations, cash flows and/or financial position.
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 property. If hazardous substances are discovered emanating from any of our lands and the release of such
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substances is regulated by environmental laws and is determined under such laws to present 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, protected species, or cultural, historical, or archaeological resources on the site. 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 works to remain in compliance with such laws and regulations. Furthermore, we require lessees of our properties to comply with environmental laws and regulations as a condition of leasing. Furthermore, we require lessees of our properties to comply with environmental regulations as a condition of leasing. We also purchase insurance for environmental liabilities when it is available; however, these insurance policies 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 and regulations 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. 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, or any significant changes in their duties, could have a material adverse effect on our businesses. We do not maintain key-man life insurance with respect to any of our employees. We do not maintain key-man 18Table of Contentslife 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.
Material weaknesses and other control deficiencies relating to our internal control over financial reporting could result in errors in our reported results and could have a material adverse effect on our operations, investor confidence in our business and the trading price of our securities. In addition, even if we are successful in strengthening our controls and procedures, those controls and procedures may not be adequate to prevent or identify irregularities or ensure the fair and accurate presentation of our financial statements included in our periodic reports filed with the SEC.
Our internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements because of its inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error, the circumvention or overriding of controls or fraud. Even effective internal controls can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements. A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our Consolidated Financial Statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. We have in the past identified material weaknesses and we cannot assure you that the measures we have taken to date, and actions we may take in the future, will be sufficient to prevent or avoid potential future material weaknesses. A material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting could result in an increased probability of fraud, the potential loss of customers, litigation from our stockholders, reduction in our ability to obtain financing, and require additional expenditures to remediate.
In future periods, if we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, including any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or if we experience difficulties in their implementation, our business and operating results could be harmed, and we could fail to meet our financial reporting obligations, which in turn could affect the market price of our securities. In addition, perceptions of us among customers, lenders, investors, securities analysts and others could also be adversely affected. Any weaknesses or deficiencies identified in the future could also hurt confidence in our business and the accuracy and completeness of our financial statements, and adversely affect our ability to do business with these groups. We can give no assurances that our controls and procedures will be adequate to prevent or identify irregularities or ensure the fair and accurate presentation of our financial statements included in our periodic reports filed with the SEC.
In addition, any future material weaknesses, restatements, investigations, and legal or administrative proceedings that could result therefrom, may divert our management’s time and attention and cause us to incur substantial costs. Such investigations can also lead to fines or injunctions or orders with respect to future activities, and may result in us being subject to criminal and civil penalties and other remedial measures, which could have an adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.
Inflation can have a significant adverse effect on our operations.
Inflation can have a major adverse impact on our citrus operations and there have been significant ongoing inflationary developments in the United States. It is uncertain as to whether these ongoing inflationary pressures will continue, will increase or will be brought under control. Our remaining citrus operations are most affected by escalating costs, unpredictable revenues and high irrigation water costs. Our citrus operations are most affected by escalating costs and unpredictable revenues and 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, in addition to making it difficult to accurately predict revenue, we are unable to pass on cost increases caused by general inflation, except to the extent reflected in market conditions and commodity prices. As a result,
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if market conditions and commodity prices do not enable us to pass along such cost increases, these recent and future inflationary pressures would likely negatively affect our results of operations, cash flows and/or financial position.
Macroeconomic conditions, such as rising inflation, armed conflicts and geopolitical instability, and pandemics or health crises could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
During the year ended September 30, 2025, we continued to experience inflationary pressure on labor costs, which we expect to continue through 2026. A number of external factors, including armed conflicts and geopolitical instability, as well as responses to such events including sanctions or other restrictive actions, by the United States and/or other countries, changes in trade policies and the imposition of tariffs, pandemics or health crises, adverse weather conditions, increases in fuel prices, supply chain disruptions (including raw material shortages), government shut down and labor shortages have impacted, and may continue to impact, transportation and commodity costs and create significant macroeconomic uncertainty.During the year ended September 30, 2024, we continued to experience inflationary pressure on labor costs, which we expect to continue through 2025. A number of external factors, including the deadly conflicts in Ukraine and Israel, as well as responses to such events including sanctions or other restrictive actions, by the United States and/or other countries, pandemics or health crises, adverse weather conditions, increases in fuel prices, supply chain disruptions (including raw material shortages) and labor shortages have impacted, and may continue to impact, transportation and commodity costs and create significant macroeconomic uncertainty. When prices increase, we may or may not pass on such increases to our customers without suffering reduced volume, revenue, margins and operating results. The extent to which current macroeconomic conditions will continue to impact our results will depend on future developments, which are uncertain. Potential negative impacts of these uncertain conditions could 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;
•Slower real estate absorption and lot sales and shifts in buyer affordability and product mix (e.g., toward smaller lots or extended phasing), which could delay closings, lengthen sell out periods, require higher incentives, or reduce expected pricing.
•Potential disruption of services and deliveries of equipment and supplies on which we rely to produce and 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, which could result in the loss of some or all of the value of an investment in the Company; and
•Our ability to maintain our workforce during these uncertain times, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations.
In addition, on October 1, 2025, the U.S. government shut down and certain regulatory agencies, such as the SEC, have had to furlough critical government employees and stop critical activities If prolonged or recurrent, curtailed agency activities (including at the SEC) could delay access to public capital, slow federal approvals relevant to our land development strategy, and delay administration of agricultural programs and crop insurance, adversely affecting our liquidity, timing and operations.
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, require us to adopt corporate governance practices applicable to U.S. public companies. These laws, rules and regulations may continue to increase our legal and financial compliance costs, which could adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.
System security risks, data protection breaches, cybersecurity incidents 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.
Our business faces various security threats, including cybersecurity risks that threaten the confidentiality, integrity and availability of our IT systems and information (including personal, confidential and other types of sensitive information); threats to the security of our facilities and infrastructure or third-party facilities and infrastructure; and threats from terrorist acts, civil unrest and similar acts.
Cybersecurity attacks and risks in particular are becoming more varied, and include threats from diverse vectors such as social engineering/phishing, malware (including ransomware), malfeasance by insiders, human or technological error, as a result of viruses, malicious software or malicious code (including embedded in open-source software), misconfigurations, bugs or other vulnerabilities that are integrated into our (or our third party’s) IT systems. The threat landscape is constantly evolving as threat actors become increasingly sophisticated in using techniques and tools - including artificial intelligence
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and other emerging technologies - for malicious purposes. 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. In addition, sophisticated hardware and operating system 20Table of Contentssoftware 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.
Our implementation of various procedures and controls to monitor and mitigate security threats and to increase security for our information, facilities and infrastructure may result in increased capital and operating costs, 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. We have not identified risks from known cybersecurity threats, including as a result of any prior cybersecurity incidents, that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect us or certain of our third-party service providers, but we cannot guarantee that material incidents will not occur in the future.
However, security risks, system integration issues and any adverse impact on the availability, integrity or confidentiality of our IT systems or sensitive information, including any attempts to gain unauthorized access to information and systems and other security incidents or breaches, could lead to losses of critical infrastructure or capabilities essential to our operations, disruption of our internal operations or services provided to customers, or the unauthorized release or corruption of information. However, security risks, system integration issues and any adverse impact on the availability, integrity or confidentiality of our IT systems or sensitive information, including any attempts to gain unauthorized access to information and systems and other security incidents or breaches, could lead to losses of critical infrastructure or capabilities essential to our operations, disruption of our internal operations or services provided to customers, or the unauthorized release or corruption of information. They could also damage our reputation, lead to legal claims or proceedings, regulatory investigations and enforcement actions, significant costs from remedial actions, loss of business or potential liability, each of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
We are dependent on our information systems and computer-based programs and those of third parties, including our agricultural operations information, electronic data processing, and accounting data. 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. If any of such systems or programs were to experience service interruptions, fail or create erroneous information in our hardware or software network infrastructure, possible consequences include our loss of communication links, inability to track sales and interruption of other operational or financial processes, which in turn could adversely affect our financial results, stock price and reputation.
We cannot guarantee that any costs and liabilities incurred in relation to an interruption, delay or other incident will be covered by our existing insurance policies or that applicable insurance will be available to us in the future on economically reasonable terms or at all.
Our business is subject to complex and evolving laws and regulations regarding privacy and data protection.
In connection with running our business, we handle information that relates to individuals and/or constitutes “personal data,” “personal information,” “personally identifiable information,” or similar terms under applicable data privacy laws, including from and about business contacts, employees and website visitors. We are therefore subject to various federal, state, and foreign laws, regulations and other requirements relating to the privacy, security and handling of personal information. For example, certain state laws and regulations impose transparency obligations, provide individuals with rights in relation to their personal information, and impose certain restrictions on our disclosure of their personal information, with penalties for violations and, in some cases, private rights of action.
The compliance requirements of such laws and regulations are constantly evolving, creating complexity and potential confusion due to unclear or conflicting interpretations. Further, legislative activity and regulatory focus on data privacy and security, including in relation to cybersecurity incidents, have significantly increased in the United States and globally. Some such requirements restrict our ability to process personal information across our business and across country borders.
New laws or changes to existing regulations, including under President Trump’s administration, may require us to incur significant costs and change our operations, potentially hindering our ability to grow our business by leveraging our data assets. In addition, any failure or perceived failure to comply with privacy and security laws and regulations could result in legal claims or proceedings (including class actions), regulatory investigations or enforcement actions, and significant costs for defense or liabilities, along with negative publicity and an erosion of trust. Such events could materially harm our business, results of operations, and financial condition. Such event could materially harm our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Our agricultural products are subject to supply and demand pricing which is not predictable.
Agricultural operations are subject to supply and demand pricing. 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 agricultural products must be marketed which may or may not be advantageous in obtaining the best price. 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
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affected. Limited supply of certain agricultural commodities due to world and domestic market conditions can cause commodity prices to rise in certain situations.
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. We are subject to governmental inspection and regulations that we are committed to complying with but we cannot guarantee 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. We are subject to governmental inspection and regulations and 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. There can be no assurance that we will not be subject to future claims or liabilities for which we are not insured or that exceed the amount of our product liability insurance coverage. 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 product liability 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 an average of 8 - 10 years for the use of underground and surface water which are believed to be adequate for our agricultural needs. 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.14Table of ContentsSurface 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 has at times lowered the level of Lake Okeechobee to manage flood risks. 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.
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 regulated as 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 or if the cost of compliance increases, it could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. 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.
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, as we have experienced in this last year, 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. If we were to experience an interruption due to strike, natural disasters or otherwise, we cannot be sure that our insurance would adequately cover all claims and that any efforts to transport our products by alternative means would be successful and done in a timely and cost-effective manner.
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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, 2025, we had $85,950 in principal amount of indebtedness outstanding under our secured credit facilities (excluding deferred financing costs), and an additional availability of $92,500 is available under our revolving line of credit.As of September 30, 2024, we had $92,551 in principal amount of indebtedness outstanding under our secured credit facilities, and an additional availability of $86,606 is available under our working capital and 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, including financial covenants that require us to comply with specified financial ratios and tests, and covenants that may restrict certain changes to our business model. 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. Because covenant compliance depends in part on periodic collateral appraisals and market conditions, declines in appraised values or changes in our business mix as we transition away from citrus production toward land management and real estate development could increase the risk of breaching our LTV‑based covenants. In addition, some of our loan agreements are secured by specific parcels of our land holdings, which are appraised from time to time. Our adherence to these land covenants relies on the most recent land valuations, and we cannot ensure that these valuations will remain constant over time. Our facilities include a Minimum Liquidity Requirement and an LTV Cap and failure to maintain these levels could restrict availability or result in default. 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. In the short-term, we expect that we will depend primarily upon our citrus operations and land sales 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. 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 the long-term, as a result of the Strategic Transformation, we expect that we will depend primarily upon our land management, diversified farming operations, and real estate development activities to pay such amounts. We have used proceeds from land sales to repay variable rate debt in the past and expect to use future proceeds from land sales to repay variable rate debt. Land available for sale in the future to raise additional funds includes productive land, the disposition of which may negatively affect our agribusiness revenue stream. In addition, there are factors beyond our control that could negatively affect our agribusiness 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, including potential delays in implementing the Strategic Transformation.
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. In evaluating these options, we may need to consider strategic shifts to enhance our financial stability and cash flow. 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 RLOC currently bears interest at variable rates, which will generally change as interest rates change.Our credit facility currently bears interest at variable rates, which will generally change as interest rates change. Currently, we are experiencing, and are expecting to continue to experience, changes in interest on our variable rate RLOC. Currently, we are experiencing, and are expecting to continue to experience, increases in interest on our variable rate term loans. 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
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credit facility, any of which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Risks Related to our Common Stock
The market price of our common stock may be volatile or decline, and you may not be able to resell your shares at or above the price you initially paid for our common stock.
The trading price of our common stock could be volatile, and you could lose all or part of your investment. The following factors, in addition to other factors described in this “Risk Factors” section and included elsewhere in this document may have a significant impact on the market price of our common stock:
•the occurrence of severe weather conditions and other catastrophes;
•our operating and financial performance, quarterly or annual earnings relative to similar companies;
•publication of research reports or news stories about us, our competitors or our industry, or positive or negative recommendations or withdrawal of research coverage by securities analysts;
•the public’s reaction to our press releases, our other public announcements and our filings with the SEC;
•announcements by us or our competitors of acquisitions, business plans or commercial relationships;
•any major change in our board of directors or senior management;
•additional sales of our common stock by us, our directors, executive officers, or principal stockholders;
•adverse market reaction to any indebtedness we may incur or securities we may issue in the future;
•short sales, hedging and other derivative transactions in our common stock;
•exposure to capital market risks related to changes in interest rates, realized investment losses, credit spreads, equity prices, foreign exchange rates and performance of insurance- linked investments;
•our creditworthiness, financial condition, performance, and prospects;
•our dividend policy and whether dividends on our common stock have been, and are likely to be, declared and paid from time to time;
•any repurchases by us of any of our outstanding shares of common stock under our share repurchase plan;
•perceptions of the investment opportunity associated with our common stock relative to other investment alternatives;
•regulatory or legal developments; including under President Trump’s administration;
•disruptions or delays associated with the current or any future government shutdowns (including curtailed SEC activities affecting capital markets access or transaction timing);
•changes in general market, economic, and political conditions;
•terrorism and/or instability, unrest and wars, such as the conflicts involving Ukraine and Russia or Israel and its surrounding regions, and other international conflicts;
•conditions or trends in our industry, geographies or customers;
•changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles; and
•threatened or actual litigation or government investigations.
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, our 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 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 may, at its discretion, decrease the level of cash dividends, or entirely discontinue the payment of cash dividends. Our Board of Directors may, at 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.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
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Item 1C. Cybersecurity
We design and assess our program based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF 2.0). This does not imply that we meet any particular technical standards, specifications, or requirements, only that we use the NIST CSF 2.0 as a guide to help us identify, assess, and manage cybersecurity risks relevant to our business.
Our cybersecurity risk management program is integrated into our overall enterprise risk management program, and shares common methodologies, reporting channels and governance processes that apply across the enterprise risk management program to other legal, compliance, strategic, operational, and financial risk areas.
Key elements of our cybersecurity risk management program include, but are not limited to the following:
•risk assessments, monitoring, vulnerability assessments, drills and phishing tests, designed to help identify material cybersecurity risks to our critical systems, information, products, services, and our broader enterprise IT environment;
•a security team principally responsible for managing (1) our cybersecurity risk assessment processes, (2) our security controls, and (3) our response to cybersecurity incidents;
•the use of external service providers and security vendors, where appropriate, to assess, test or otherwise assist with aspects of our security controls, including to identify and apply appropriate security protocols and tools;
•cybersecurity awareness training of our employees, and close cooperation with government and industry partners;
•a cybersecurity incident response plan that includes procedures for responding to cybersecurity incidents; and
•a third-party risk management process for service providers, suppliers, and vendors based on our assessment of their criticality to our operations and respective risk profile.
Cybersecurity Governance
The Committee reports to the full Board regarding its activities, including those related to cybersecurity. The full Board also receives briefings from management on our cyber risk management program. Board members receive presentations on cybersecurity topics from our Chief Information Officer ("CIO"), internal security staff or external experts as part of the Board’s continuing education on topics that impact public companies.
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Our management team takes steps to stay informed about and monitor efforts to prevent, detect, mitigate, and remediate cybersecurity risks and incidents through various means, which may include briefings from internal security personnel; threat intelligence and other information obtained from governmental, public or private sources, including external consultants engaged by us; and alerts and reports produced by security tools deployed in the IT environment. Our management team takes steps to stay informed about and monitor efforts to prevent, detect, mitigate, and remediate cybersecurity risks and incidents through various means, which may include briefings from internal security personnel; threat intelligence and other information obtained from governmental, public or private sources, including external consultants engaged by us; and alerts and reports produced by security tools deployed in the IT environment.
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