Exhibit 3.1
GLADSTONE LAND CORPORATION
ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY
5.00% SERIES D CUMULATIVE TERM PREFERRED STOCK
Gladstone Land Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the Corporation), hereby certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland that:
FIRST: Under a power contained in Section 6.2 of the charter of the Corporation (the Charter), the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the Board of Directors) and a duly authorized committee thereof, by resolutions duly adopted, reclassified 3,600,000 authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, of the Corporation as shares of a series of preferred stock, designated as 5.00% Series D Cumulative Term Preferred Stock (the Series D Term Preferred Stock) with the following preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption. Capitalized terms used but not defined below shall have the meanings given to them in the Charter.
1. Designation and Number. A series of preferred stock, designated the 5.00% Series D Cumulative Term Preferred Stock (the Series D Term Preferred Stock), is hereby established. The number of shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock shall be 3,600,000.
2. Rank. The Series D Term Preferred Stock, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, shall rank (i) senior to the Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, of the Corporation (the Common Stock) and to all other equity securities issued by the Corporation the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank junior to the Series D Term Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation; (ii) on parity with the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock and any future class or series of the Corporations capital stock expressly designated as ranking on parity with the Series D Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation (the Parity Preferred Stock); (iii) junior to all equity securities issued by the Corporation the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank senior to the Series D Term Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation; and (iv) junior to all existing and future indebtedness of the Corporation. The term equity securities does not include convertible debt securities.
3. Dividends.
(a) Holders of shares of the Series D Term Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when and as authorized by the Board of Directors (or a duly authorized committee thereof) and declared by the Corporation, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, preferential cumulative cash dividends at the rate of 5.00% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share (equivalent to a fixed annual amount of $1.25 per share); provided, however, that if the Corporation fails to redeem or call for redemption all shares of Series D Term Preferred
Stock on the Term Redemption Date (as defined in Section 5(b)), the dividend rate on the Series D Term Preferred Stock shall increase by 3.0% per share per annum to 8.0% until such shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock are redeemed or called for redemption. Dividends on each share of Series D Term Preferred Stock shall be cumulative from (but excluding) the last day of the monthly dividend period for which dividends have been paid in full, or if no dividends on such share have been paid, the date of original issue and shall be payable monthly in arrears on the fifth day of each month for dividends accrued the previous month, or if such date is not a Business Day, on the immediately succeeding Business Day, or on such other date as designated by the Board of Directors, with the same force and effect as if paid on such date (each, a Dividend Payment Date). Any dividend payable on the Series D Term Preferred Stock for any partial dividend period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Dividends shall be payable to holders of record as they appear in the stock records of the Corporation at the close of business on the applicable record date, which shall be the 25th day of the applicable month or such other date designated by the Board of Directors that is prior to the applicable Dividend Payment Date (each, a Dividend Record Date). The term Business Day shall mean any calendar day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading.
(b) No dividends on shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock shall be authorized by the Board of Directors or declared by the Corporation or paid or set apart for payment by the Corporation at such time as the terms and provisions of any agreement of the Corporation, including any agreement relating to its indebtedness, prohibits such authorization, declaration, payment or setting apart for payment or provides that such authorization, declaration, payment or setting apart for payment would constitute a breach thereof or a default thereunder, or if such authorization, declaration, payment or setting apart for payment shall be restricted or prohibited by law.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, dividends on the Series D Term Preferred Stock shall accumulate whether or not the Corporation has earnings, whether or not restrictions exist in respect thereof, whether there are funds legally available for the payment of such dividends and whether or not such dividends are authorized and declared. Accumulated but unpaid dividends on the Series D Term Preferred Stock shall not bear interest and holders of the Series D Term Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any distributions in excess of full cumulative distributions described above. When dividends are not paid in full (or a sum sufficient for such full payment is not so set apart) upon the Series D Term Preferred Stock and the shares of any class or series of Parity Preferred Stock, all dividends declared upon the Series D Term Preferred Stock and any class or series of Parity Preferred Stock shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share of Series D Term Preferred Stock and such class or series of Parity Preferred Stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accumulated dividends per share on the Series D Term Preferred Stock and such class or series of Parity Preferred Stock (which shall not include any accrual in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods if such Parity Preferred Stock does not have a cumulative dividend) bear to each other.
(d) Except as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, unless full cumulative dividends on the Series D Term Preferred Stock have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for payment for all past dividend periods, no dividends (other than a dividend in shares of Common Stock or other shares of stock ranking junior to the Series D Term Preferred Stock as to dividends and upon liquidation) shall be declared and paid or declared and set apart for payment nor shall any other
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distribution be declared and made upon the Common Stock or any other stock of the Corporation ranking junior to or on a parity with the Series D Term Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, nor shall any shares of Common Stock or any other stock of the Corporation ranking junior to or on a parity with the Series D Term Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any monies be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such shares) by the Corporation (except by conversion into or exchange for other stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the Series D Term Preferred Stock as to dividends and upon liquidation or repurchase or redemption for the purpose of preserving the Corporations qualification as a real estate investment trust (REIT)). Holders of shares of the Series D Term Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any dividend, whether payable in cash, property or stock, in excess of full cumulative dividends on the Series D Term Preferred Stock as provided above. Any dividend payment made on shares of the Series D Term Preferred Stock shall first be credited against the earliest accumulated but unpaid dividend due with respect to such shares which remains payable.
(e) If, for any taxable year, the Corporation elects to designate as a capital gain dividend (as defined in Section 857 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code)), any portion (the Capital Gains Amount) of the dividends paid or made available for the year to holders of any class or series of stock of the Corporation, the portion of the Capital Gains Amount that shall be allocable to holders of the Series D Term Preferred Stock shall be the amount that the total dividends (as determined for federal income tax purposes) paid or made available to the holders of the Series D Term Preferred Stock for the year bears to the aggregate amount of dividends (as determined for federal income tax purposes) paid or made available to the holders of all classes or series of stock of the Corporation for such year.
4. Liquidation Preference. Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, the holders of shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock are entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Corporation legally available for distribution to its stockholders a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends to but excluding the date of payment, but without interest, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of Common Stock or any other class or series of stock of the Corporation that ranks junior to the Series D Term Preferred Stock as to liquidation rights. If the assets of the Corporation legally available for distribution to stockholders are insufficient to pay in full the liquidation preference on the Series D Term Preferred Stock and the liquidation preference on the shares of any class or series of Parity Preferred Stock, all assets distributed to the holders of the Series D Term Preferred Stock and any class or series of Parity Preferred Stock shall be distributed pro rata so that the amount of assets distributed per share of Series D Term Preferred Stock and such class or series of Parity Preferred Stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that the liquidation preference per share on the Series D Term Preferred Stock and such class or series of Parity Preferred Stock bear to each other. Written notice of any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, stating the payment date or dates when, and the place or places where, the amounts distributable in such circumstances shall be payable, shall be given by first class mail, postage pre-paid, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the payment date stated therein, to each record holder of the Series D Term Preferred Stock at the respective addresses of such holders as the same shall appear on the stock transfer records of the Corporation. After payment of the full amount of the liquidation preference, plus
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an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends to which they are entitled, the holders of Series D Term Preferred Stock shall have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Corporation. The consolidation, conversion or merger of the Corporation with or into another entity, a merger of another entity with or into the Corporation, a statutory share exchange by the Corporation or a sale, lease, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of the Corporations property or business shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation. In determining whether a distribution (other than upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation) by dividend, redemption or other acquisition of shares of stock of the Corporation or otherwise is permitted under the Maryland General Corporation Law, no effect shall be given to amounts that would be needed, if the Corporation were to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of holders of the Series D Term Preferred Stock whose preferential rights upon dissolution are superior to those receiving the distribution.
5. Redemption. The Series D Term Preferred Stock shall be subject to redemption by the Corporation as provided below:
(a) Definitions. As used in this Section 5, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context otherwise requires:
1940 Act means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or any successor statute.
Capital Stock of a corporation means the capital stock of every class whether now or hereafter authorized, regardless of whether such capital stock shall be limited to a fixed sum or percentage with respect to the rights of the holders thereof to participate in dividends and in the distribution of assets upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of such corporation.
Change of Control Payment shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 5(d)(i).
Change of Control Payment Date shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 5(d)(ii).
Change of Control Redemption shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 5(d)(i).
Change of Control Triggering Event means the occurrence of any of the following: (1) the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or more series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the Corporations assets and the assets of the Corporations subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person, other than the Corporation or one of the Corporations subsidiaries; (2) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any Person becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Corporations outstanding Voting Stock or other Voting Stock into which the Corporations Voting Stock is reclassified, consolidated, exchanged or changed, measured by voting power rather than number of shares; (3) the Corporation consolidates with, or merges with or into, any Person,
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or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into, the Corporation, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the Corporations outstanding Voting Stock or the Voting Stock of such other Person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where the shares of the Corporations Voting Stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constitute, or are converted into or exchanged for, a majority of the Voting Stock of the surviving Person or any direct or indirect parent company of the surviving Person immediately after giving effect to such transaction; (4) the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors are not Continuing Directors; or (5) the adoption of a plan relating to the Corporations liquidation or dissolution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction shall not be deemed to involve a Change of Control Triggering Event under clause (2) above if (i) the Corporation becomes a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of a holding company and (ii)(A) the direct or indirect holders of the Voting Stock of such holding company immediately following that transaction are substantially the same as the holders of the Corporations Voting Stock immediately prior to that transaction or (B) immediately following that transaction no Person (other than a holding company satisfying the requirements of this sentence) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such holding company.
Continuing Directors means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors who (A) was a member of the Board of Directors on the date the Series D Term Preferred Stock was issued or (B) was nominated for election, elected or appointed to the Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the continuing directors who were members of the Board of Directors at the time of such nomination, election or appointment (either by a specific vote or by approval of a proxy statement in which such member was named as a nominee for election as a director, without objection to such nomination).
Deposit Securities means, as of any date, any United States dollar-denominated security or other investment of a type described below that either (i) is a demand obligation payable to the holder thereof on any Business Day or (ii) has a maturity date, mandatory redemption date or mandatory payment date, on its face or at the option of the holder, preceding the relevant Redemption Date, Dividend Payment Date or other payment date in respect of which such security or other investment has been deposited or set apart as a Deposit Security:
(i) cash or any cash equivalent;
(ii) any U.S. Government Obligation;
(iii) any Short-Term Money Market Instrument;
(iv) any investment in any money market fund registered under the 1940 Act that qualifies under Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, or similar investment vehicle described in Rule 12d1-1(b)(2) under the 1940 Act, that invests principally in Short-Term Money Market Instruments or U.S. Government Obligations or any combination thereof; or
(v) any letter of credit from a bank or other financial institution that has a credit rating from at least one rating agency that is the highest applicable rating generally ascribed by such rating agency to bank deposits or short-term debt of similar banks or other financial institutions as of the date hereof (or such ratings future equivalent).
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Electronic Means means electronic mail transmission, facsimile transmission or other similar electronic means of communication providing evidence of transmission (but excluding online communications systems covered by a separate agreement) acceptable to the sending party and the receiving party, in any case if operative as between any two parties, or, if not operative, by telephone (promptly confirmed by any other method set forth in this definition).
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Market Value of any asset of the Corporation means, for securities for which market quotations are readily available, the market value thereof determined by an independent third-party pricing service designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. Market Value of any asset shall include any interest accrued thereon. The pricing service values portfolio securities at the mean between the quoted bid and asked price or the yield equivalent when quotations are readily available. Securities for which quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined by the pricing service using methods that include consideration of: yields or prices of securities of comparable quality, type of issue, coupon, maturity and rating; indications as to value from dealers; and general market conditions. The pricing service may employ electronic data processing techniques or a matrix system, or both, to determine recommended valuations.
Notice of Redemption shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 5(e).
Optional Redemption Date shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 5(c)(i).
Optional Redemption Price shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 5(c)(i).
Person shall have the meaning given thereto in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.
Redemption and Paying Agent means Computershare Limited and its successors or any other redemption and paying agent appointed by the Corporation with respect to the Series D Term Preferred Stock.
Redemption Date shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 5(e).
Redemption Price means the Term Redemption Price or the Optional Redemption Price, as applicable.
Securities Depository means The Depository Trust Corporation and its successors and assigns or any other securities depository selected by the Corporation that agrees to follow the procedures required to be followed by such securities depository as set forth herein with respect to the Series D Term Preferred Stock.
Short-Term Money Market Instruments means the following types of instruments if, on the date of purchase or other acquisition thereof by the Corporation, the remaining term to maturity thereof is not in excess of 180 days:
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(i) commercial paper rated A-1 if such commercial paper matures in 30 days or A-1+ if such commercial paper matures in over 30 days;
(ii) demand or time deposits in, and bankers acceptances and certificates of deposit of (A) a depository institution or trust company incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia or (B) a United States branch office or agency of a foreign depository institution (provided that such branch office or agency is subject to banking regulation under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia); and
(iii) overnight funds.
Term Redemption Price shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 5(b).
U.S. Government Obligations means direct obligations of the United States or of its agencies or instrumentalities that are entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States and that, other than United States Treasury Bills, provide for the periodic payment of interest and the full payment of principal at maturity or call for redemption.
Voting Stock means, with respect to any specified Person that is a corporation as of any date, the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote generally in the election of the directors of such Person.
(b) Term Redemption. The Corporation shall redeem, out of funds legally available therefor, all shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock on January 31, 2026 (the Term Redemption Date), at a price per share equal to the liquidation preference per share of Series D Term Preferred Stock plus an amount equal to all unpaid dividends on such share of Series D Term Preferred Stock accumulated to (but excluding) the Term Redemption Date (whether or not earned or declared by the Corporation, but excluding interest thereon) (the Term Redemption Price).
(c) Optional Redemption.
(i) The Series D Term Preferred Stock is not redeemable prior to January 31, 2023. However, in order to ensure that the Corporation will continue to meet the requirement for qualification as a REIT, the Series D Term Preferred Stock shall be subject to the transfer and ownership restrictions in the Charter, including the provisions whereby shares of stock of the Corporation owned by a stockholder in excess of 3.3% (or 9.8% in the case of certain Qualified Institutional Investors (as defined in the Charter)) in value of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation (the Ownership Limit) will be transferred in trust pursuant to Section 7.2.1 of the Charter. Subject to the provisions of Section 5(c)(ii), on any Business Day beginning on January 31, 2023 (any such Business Day referred to in this sentence, an Optional Redemption Date), the Corporation may redeem in whole or from time to time in part, out of funds legally available therefor, the Series D Term Preferred Stock, at a redemption price per share of Series D Term Preferred Stock (the Optional Redemption Price) equal to (x) the liquidation preference per share of Series D Term Preferred Stock plus (y) an amount equal to all unpaid dividends on such share of Series D Term Preferred Stock accumulated to (but excluding) the Optional Redemption Date (whether or not earned or declared by the Corporation, but excluding interest thereon).
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(ii) If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock are to be redeemed pursuant to Section 5(c)(i), the shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock to be redeemed shall be selected either (A) pro rata, (B) by lot or (C) in such other manner as the Board of Directors may determine to be fair and equitable. Subject to the provisions hereof and applicable law, the Board of Directors shall have the full power and authority to prescribe the terms and conditions upon which shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock will be redeemed pursuant to this Section 5(c) from time to time.
(d) Change of Control
(i) If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs with respect to the Series D Term Preferred Stock, unless the Corporation has exercised the option to redeem such Series D Term Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 5(c), holders of the Series D Term Preferred Stock may require the Corporation to redeem (a Change of Control Redemption) the Series D Term Preferred Stock at a price equal to the liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends up to but excluding the date of payment (whether or not earned or declared by the Corporation, but excluding interest thereon) (a Change of Control Payment).
(ii) Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event or prior to any Change of Control Triggering Event, but after public announcement of the transaction that constitutes or may constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event, a notice shall be mailed to holders of the Series D Term Preferred Stock, describing the transaction that constitutes or may constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event and offering to redeem such Series D Term Preferred Stock on the date specified in the applicable notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (a Change of Control Payment Date). The notice shall, if mailed prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control Triggering Event, state that the Change of Control Redemption is conditioned on the Change of Control Triggering Event occurring on or prior to the applicable Change of Control Payment Date.
(iii) The Corporation shall not be required to make a Change of Control Redemption upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event if a third party makes such an offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by the Corporation and the third party purchases all Series D Term Preferred Stock properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer.
(iv) The Corporation shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the redemption of the Series D Term Preferred Stock as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event. To the extent that the provisions of any such securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control Redemption provisions of the Series D Term Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall comply with those securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached the Corporations obligations under the Change of Control Redemption provisions of the Series D Term Preferred Stock by virtue of any such conflict.
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(e) Procedures for Redemption.
(i) If the Corporation shall determine or be required to redeem, in whole or in part, shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 5(b) or (c), the Corporation shall deliver a notice of redemption (the Notice of Redemption ), by overnight delivery, by first class mail, postage prepaid or by Electronic Means to holders thereof, or request the Redemption and Paying Agent, on behalf of the Corporation, to promptly do so by overnight delivery, by first class mail, postage prepaid or by Electronic Means. A Notice of Redemption shall be provided not less than 15 nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption in such Notice of Redemption (the Redemption Date). Each such Notice of Redemption shall state: (A) the Redemption Date; (B) the number of shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock to be redeemed; (C) the CUSIP number for the Series D Term Preferred Stock; (D) the applicable Redemption Price on a per share basis; (E) if applicable, the place or places where the certificate(s) for such shares (properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Board of Directors requires and the Notice of Redemption states) are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price; (F) that dividends on the shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock to be redeemed will cease to accumulate after such Redemption Date; and (G) the provisions hereof under which such redemption is made. If fewer than all shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock held by any holder are to be redeemed, the Notice of Redemption delivered to such holder shall also specify the number of shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock to be redeemed from such holder or the method of determining such number. The Corporation may provide in any Notice of Redemption relating to a redemption contemplated to be effected pursuant hereto that such redemption is subject to one or more conditions precedent and that the Corporation shall not be required to effect such redemption unless each such condition has been satisfied at the time or times and in the manner specified in such Notice of Redemption. No defect in the Notice of Redemption or delivery thereof shall affect the validity of redemption proceedings, except as required by applicable law.
(ii) If the Corporation shall give a Notice of Redemption, then at any time from and after the giving of such Notice of Redemption and prior to 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Redemption Date (so long as any conditions precedent to such redemption have been met or waived by the Corporation), the Corporation shall (A) deposit with the Redemption and Paying Agent Deposit Securities having an aggregate Market Value on the date thereof no less than the Redemption Price of the shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock to be redeemed on the Redemption Date and (B) give the Redemption and Paying Agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the applicable Redemption Price to the holders of the shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock called for redemption on the Redemption Date. The Corporation may direct the Redemption and Paying Agent with respect to the investment of any Deposit Securities consisting of cash so deposited prior to the Redemption Date, provided that the proceeds of any such investment shall be available at the opening of business on the Redemption Date as same day funds.
(iii) Upon the date of the deposit of such Deposit Securities, all rights of the holders of the shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock so called for redemption shall cease and terminate except the right of the holders thereof to receive the Redemption Price thereof and such shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock shall no longer be deemed outstanding for any purpose whatsoever (other than (A) the transfer thereof prior to the applicable Redemption Date and (B) the accumulation of dividends thereon in accordance with the terms hereof up to (but excluding) the applicable Redemption Date, which accumulated dividends, unless previously or
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contemporaneously declared and paid as contemplated by the last sentence of Section 5(e)(vi) below, shall be payable only as part of the applicable Redemption Price on the Redemption Date). The Corporation shall be entitled to receive, promptly after the Redemption Date, any Deposit Securities in excess of the aggregate Redemption Price of the shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock called for redemption on the Redemption Date. Any Deposit Securities so deposited that are unclaimed at the end of 90 calendar days from the Redemption Date shall, to the extent permitted by law, be repaid to the Corporation, after which the holders of the shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock so called for redemption shall look only to the Corporation for payment of the Redemption Price thereof. The Corporation shall be entitled to receive, from time to time after the Redemption Date, any interest on the Deposit Securities so deposited.
(iv) On or after the Redemption Date, each holder of shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock in certificated form (if any) that are subject to redemption shall surrender the certificate(s) representing such shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock to the Corporation at the place designated in the Notice of Redemption and shall then be entitled to receive the Redemption Price for such shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock, without interest, and in the case of a redemption of fewer than all the shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock represented by such certificate(s), a new certificate representing the shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock that were not redeemed.
(v) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 5, except as otherwise required by law, the Corporation shall not redeem any shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock unless all accumulated and unpaid dividends on all outstanding shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock and the shares of any class or series of Parity Preferred Stock for all applicable past dividend periods (whether or not earned or declared by the Corporation) (x) shall have been or are contemporaneously paid or (y) shall have been or are contemporaneously declared and Deposit Securities or sufficient funds (in accordance with the terms of such Parity Preferred Stock) for the payment of such dividends shall have been or are contemporaneously set apart for payment or deposited with the Redemption and Paying Agent or other applicable paying agent for such Parity Preferred Stock in accordance with the terms of such Parity Preferred Stock, provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition of outstanding shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock pursuant to an otherwise lawful purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock and any other class or series of Parity Preferred Stock for which all accumulated and unpaid dividends have not been paid.
(vi) To the extent that any redemption for which Notice of Redemption has been provided is not made by reason of the absence of legally available funds therefor in accordance herewith and applicable law, such redemption shall be made as soon as practicable to the extent such funds become available. No Redemption Default shall be deemed to have occurred if the Corporation shall fail to deposit in trust with the Redemption and Paying Agent the Redemption Price with respect to any shares where (1) the Notice of Redemption relating to such redemption provided that such redemption was subject to one or more conditions precedent and (2) any such condition precedent shall not have been satisfied at the time or times and in the manner specified in such Notice of Redemption. Notwithstanding the fact that a Notice of Redemption has been provided with respect to any shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock, dividends may be declared and paid on such shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock in accordance with their terms if Deposit Securities for the payment of the Redemption Price of such shares of Series D Term
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Preferred Stock shall not have been deposited in trust with the Redemption and Paying Agent for that purpose.
(vii) If a Redemption Date falls after a Dividend Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Dividend Payment Date, each holder of shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock on such Dividend Record Date shall be entitled to the dividend payable on such shares on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date, notwithstanding the redemption of such shares on or prior to such Dividend Payment Date, and each holder of shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock that are redeemed on such Redemption Date shall be entitled to the dividends, if any, accruing after the end of the month to which such Dividend Payment Date relates up to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.
(f) Redemption and Paying Agent as Trustee of Redemption Payments by Corporation. All Deposit Securities transferred to the Redemption and Paying Agent for payment of the Redemption Price of shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock called for redemption shall be held in trust by the Redemption and Paying Agent for the benefit of holders of shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock so to be redeemed until paid to such holders in accordance with the terms hereof or returned to the Corporation in accordance with the provisions of Section 5(e)(iii) above.
(g) Compliance with Applicable Law. In effecting any redemption pursuant to this Section 5, the Corporation shall use its best efforts to comply with all applicable conditions precedent to effecting such redemption under any applicable Maryland law, but shall effect no redemption except in accordance with any applicable Maryland law.
(h) Modification of Redemption Procedures. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5, the Corporation may, in its sole discretion and without a stockholder vote, modify the procedures set forth above with respect to notification of redemption for the Series D Term Preferred Stock; provided that such modification does not materially and adversely affect the holders of the shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock or cause the Corporation to violate any applicable law, rule or regulation; and provided, further, that no such modification shall in any way alter the rights or obligations of the Redemption and Paying Agent without its prior consent.
6. Voting Rights.
(a) Holders of the Series D Term Preferred Stock shall not have any voting rights, except as set forth below.
(b) Whenever dividends on any shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock shall be in arrears for 18 or more consecutive months (a Preferred Dividend Default), the holders of such shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock, together with the holders of all classes or series of Parity Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, shall be entitled to vote separately as a class for the election of a total of two additional directors of the Corporation (the Preferred Stock Directors) at a special meeting called upon the written request of the holders of record of at least 20% of the Series D Term Preferred Stock or the holders of record of at least 20% of any class or series of Parity Preferred Stock so in arrears (unless such request is received less than 90 days before the date fixed for the next annual or special meeting of the stockholders) or at the next annual meeting of stockholders, and at each subsequent annual meeting until all dividends accumulated on such shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock for the past dividend periods and the dividend for the then current dividend period shall have been fully paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment.
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(c) A quorum for any meeting called to elect Preferred Stock Directors shall exist if at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock and shares of Parity Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable are represented in person or by proxy at such meeting. The Preferred Stock Directors shall be elected upon the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock and shares of such Parity Preferred Stock present and voting in person or by proxy at a duly called and held meeting at which a quorum is present voting separately as a single class. If and when all accumulated dividends and the dividend for the then-current dividend period on the Series D Term Preferred Stock shall have been paid in full or declared and set apart for payment in full, the holders thereof shall be divested of the right to elect the Preferred Stock Directors (subject to revesting in the event of each and every Preferred Dividend Default) and, if all accumulated dividends and the dividend for the then-current dividend period have been paid in full or declared and set apart for payment in full on all classes or series of Parity Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, the term of office of each Preferred Stock Director so elected shall terminate. Any Preferred Stock Director may be removed at any time with or without cause by, and shall not be removed otherwise than by the vote of, the holders of record of a majority of the total outstanding shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock when they have the voting rights described above and outstanding shares of all classes or series of Parity Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable (voting separately as a single class). So long as a Preferred Dividend Default shall continue, any vacancy in the office of a Preferred Stock Director may be filled by written consent of the Preferred Stock Director remaining in office or, if none remains in office, by a vote of the holders of record of a majority of the total outstanding shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock when they have the voting rights described above and outstanding shares of all classes or series of Parity Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable (voting separately as a single class). The Preferred Stock Directors shall be entitled to one vote per director on any matter.
(d) So long as any shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Corporation shall not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares of the Series D Term Preferred Stock outstanding at the time, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or at a meeting (voting separately as a class), amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Charter (including the terms of the Series D Term Preferred Stock), whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise (each an Event), so as to materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the Series D Term Preferred Stock; provided, however, that with respect to the occurrence of any Event set forth above, so long as the Series D Term Preferred Stock (or securities issued by a surviving entity in substitution for the Series D Term Preferred Stock) remains outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged, taking into account that upon the occurrence of such an Event, the Corporation may not be the surviving entity, the occurrence of any such Event shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting power of the Series D Term Preferred Stock; and provided, further, that (i) any increase in the number of authorized shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock, (ii) any increase in the number of authorized shares of preferred stock of the Corporation or the creation of issuance of any other class or series of preferred stock or (iii) any
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increase in the number of authorized shares of any other class or series of preferred stock, in each case ranking on a parity with or junior to the Series D Term Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers.
(e) The foregoing voting provisions shall not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock shall have been redeemed or called for redemption upon proper notice and sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.
7. Conversion. The Series D Term Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any other property or securities of the Corporation.
8. Term. The Series D Term Preferred Stock shall not be subject to any sinking fund but must be redeemed or called for redemption upon proper notice and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment on January 31, 2026.
9. No Preemptive Rights. No holder of the Series D Term Preferred Stock shall, as such holder, have any preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for additional shares of stock of the Corporation or any other security of the Corporation which it may issue or sell.
10. Status of Redeemed or Repurchased Series D Term Preferred Stock. Shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock that at any time have been redeemed or purchased by the Corporation shall, after such redemption or purchase, have the status of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock.
11. Global Certificate. All shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock outstanding from time to time shall initially be represented by one or more global certificates registered in the name of the Securities Depository or its nominee and no registration of transfer of shares of Series D Term Preferred Stock shall be made on the books of the Corporation to any person other than the Securities Depository or its nominee. The foregoing restriction on registration of transfer shall be conspicuously noted on the face or back of the global certificate.
12. Notice. All notices or communications hereunder, unless otherwise specified herein, shall be sufficiently given if in writing and delivered in person, by telecopier, by Electronic Means or by overnight mail or delivery or mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid. Notices delivered pursuant to this Section 12 shall be deemed given on the date received or, if mailed by first class mail, on the date five calendar days after which such notice is mailed.
SECOND: The Series D Preferred Stock has been classified and designated by the Board of Directors under the authority contained in the Charter.
THIRD: These Articles Supplementary have been approved by the Board of Directors in the manner and by the vote required by law.
FOURTH: The undersigned acknowledges these Articles Supplementary to be the corporate act of the Corporation and, as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath,
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the undersigned acknowledges that, to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Articles Supplementary to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its Chief Executive Officer and attested to by its Secretary on this 13th day of January, 2021.
ATTEST: | GLADSTONE LAND CORPORATION | |||||||
/s/ Michael LiCalsi |
By: | /s/ David Gladstone |
(SEAL) | |||||
Name: Michael LiCalsi | Name: David Gladstone | |||||||
Title: Secretary | Title: Chief Executive Officer |
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