NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Interim Financial Information

Our interim financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (the “U.S.”) (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the requirements for reporting on Form 10-Q in accordance with Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, certain disclosures accompanying annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP are omitted. In the opinion of our management, all adjustments, consisting solely of normal recurring accruals, necessary for the fair presentation of financial statements for the interim period have been included. The results of the interim period reported herein are not indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The interim financial statements and accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 24, 2014.

 

Out-of-Period Adjustment

During the three months ended September 30, 2013, and the three months ended December 31, 2013, we recorded adjustments to our income tax provision and to other assets that were related to our 2011 and 2012 provision reconciliation. As a result of the correction of these errors, we understated net income by $30,800 for the both three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, and by $9,638 and $40,438 for the three months and year ended December 31, 2013, respectively. We concluded that these adjustments were not material to the 2011, 2012 or 2013 results of operations; as such, these adjustments were recorded during 2013, with no impact on the three months ended March 31, 2013.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

Real Estate and Lease Intangibles

Our investments in real estate consist of farmland and improvements made to the farmland, consisting of buildings; irrigation and drain systems; coolers, which are storage facilities used for cooling crops; box barns, which are facilities used for storing and assembling boxes; and horticulture acquired in connection with the land purchase, which currently consists of blueberry bushes and lemon trees. We record investments in real estate at cost and capitalize improvements and replacements when they extend the useful life or improve the efficiency of the asset. We expense costs of repairs and maintenance as such costs are incurred. We compute depreciation using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful life or 39 years for buildings and improvements, the shorter of the estimated useful life or 25 years for horticulture acquired in connection with the purchase of farmland, 5 to 7 years for equipment and fixtures and the shorter of the useful life or the remaining lease term for leasehold interests.

Certain of our acquisitions involve sale-leaseback transactions with newly-originated leases, which we account for as asset acquisitions under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment.” In the case of an asset acquisition, we will capitalize the transaction costs incurred in connection with the acquisition. Other of our acquisitions involve the acquisition of farmland that is already being operated as rental property and has a lease in place that we assume at the time of acquisition, which we will generally consider to be a business combination under ASC 805, “Business Combinations.” When an acquisition is considered a business combination, ASC 805 requires that the purchase price of real estate be allocated to the tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, consisting of land, buildings, improvements, horticulture and long-term debt; and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities, typically the value of above-market and below-market leases, in-place leases, unamortized lease origination costs and tenant relationships, based in each case on their fair values. ASC 805 also requires that all expenses related to the acquisition be expensed as incurred, rather than capitalized into the cost of the acquisition.

Whether our acquisitions are treated as an asset acquisition under ASC 360 or a business combination under ASC 805, the fair value of the purchase price is allocated among the assets acquired and any liabilities assumed. Management’s estimates of fair value are made using methods similar to those used by independent appraisers, such as a sales comparison approach, a cost approach, and an income capitalization approach (utilizing a discounted cash flow analysis). Factors considered by management in its analysis include an estimate of carrying costs during hypothetical, expected lease-up periods, taking into consideration current market conditions and costs to execute similar leases. We also consider information obtained about each property as a result of our pre-acquisition due diligence, marketing and leasing activities in estimating the fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. In estimating carrying costs, management also includes real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses and estimates of lost rental income at market rates during the hypothetical, expected lease-up periods, which typically range from 3 to 12 months, depending on specific local market conditions. Management also estimates costs to execute similar leases, including leasing commissions, legal and other related expenses, to the extent that such costs are not already incurred in connection with a new lease origination as part of the transaction.

We allocate purchase price to the fair value of the tangible assets and liabilities of an acquired property by valuing the property as if it were vacant. The “as-if-vacant” value is allocated to land, buildings, improvements and horticulture, based on management’s determination of the fair values of these assets. Real estate depreciation expense on these tangible assets was $259,563 and $135,055 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

We record above-market and below-market in-place lease values for acquired properties based on the present value (using an interest rate that reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the in-place leases and (ii) management’s estimate of fair market lease rates for the corresponding in-place leases, measured over a period equal to the remaining, non-cancelable term of the lease. When determining the non-cancelable term of the lease, we evaluate if fixed-rate renewal options, if any, should be included.

 

In connection with our 2013 and 2012 acquisitions, we allocated $161,547 and $98,808, respectively, of the purchase price to below-market lease values. Prior to 2012, all acquired leases were determined to be at market. The fair value of capitalized below-market leases, included as part of Other liabilities in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, are amortized into rental income on a straight-line basis over the remaining, non-cancelable terms of the respective leases. Total amortization related to below-market lease values recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was $19,984 and $29,061, respectively.

The total amount of the remaining intangible assets acquired, which consists of in-place lease values, unamortized lease origination costs and tenant relationship intangible values, are allocated based on management’s evaluation of the specific characteristics of each tenant’s lease and our overall relationship with that respective tenant. Characteristics to be considered by management in allocating these values include the nature and extent of our existing business relationships with the tenant, prospects for developing additional business with the tenant, the tenant’s credit quality and our expectations of lease renewals (including those existing under the terms of the lease agreement), among other factors.

The value of in-place leases and unamortized lease origination costs are amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over the remaining terms of the respective leases, which currently range from 1 to 15 years. The value of customer relationship intangibles, which is the benefit to us resulting from the likelihood of an existing tenant renewing its lease at the existing property or entering a lease at a different property owned by us, are amortized to expense over the remaining lease term and any anticipated renewal periods in the respective leases. Should a tenant terminate its lease, the unamortized portion of the above-market and below-market lease values, in-place lease values, lease origination costs and tenant relationship intangibles will be immediately charged to the related income or expense.

Total amortization expense related to these intangible assets, in aggregate, was $28,468 and $24,981 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Impairment of Real Estate Assets

We account for the impairment of real estate, including intangible assets, in accordance with ASC 360-10-35, “Property, Plant, and Equipment,” which requires us to periodically review the carrying value of each property to determine whether circumstances indicate impairment of the carrying value of the investment exists or if depreciation periods should be modified. If circumstances support the possibility of impairment, we prepare a projection of the undiscounted future cash flows, without interest charges, of the specific property and determine whether the carrying value of the investment in such property is recoverable. In performing the analysis, we consider such factors as the tenants’ payment history and financial condition, the likelihood of lease renewal, agricultural and business conditions in the regions in which our farms are located and whether there are indications that the fair value of the real estate has decreased. If the carrying amount is more than the aggregate undiscounted future cash flows, we would recognize an impairment loss to the extent the carrying amount exceeds the estimated fair value of the property.

We evaluate our entire property portfolio each quarter for any impairment indicators and perform an impairment analysis on those select properties that have an indication of impairment. We concluded that none of our properties were impaired as of March 31, 2014, and will continue to monitor our portfolio for any indicators of impairment. There have been no impairments recognized on real estate assets since our inception.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash as of March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, consisted solely of accrued interest owed on funds held in escrow related to the acquisition of a property in December 2013.

Short-term Investments

We consider short-term investments to consist of any highly-liquid securities that have an original maturity of less than one year but greater than three months at the time of purchase. As of March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, short-term investments consisted of approximately $0.7 million held in a certificate of deposit (“CD”). The CD originally matured on September 6, 2013; however, upon maturity, the balance was rolled into a new, 12-month CD with a maturity date of September 6, 2014. Due to the short-term nature of the CD, the amortized cost of the security was deemed to approximate its fair value as of both March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, we also held $20.0 million of short-term U.S. Treasury Bills that matured on June 27, 2013, and were subsequently invested in a money-market deposit account. As of both March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, our short-term investments were classified as held-to-maturity and were recorded at their amortized cost on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Total income earned on these short-term investments is included in Interest income on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and totaled $168 and $1,787 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Deferred Financing Costs

Deferred financing costs consist of costs incurred to obtain financing, including legal fees, origination fees and administrative fees. These costs are deferred and amortized over the term of the related financing using the straight-line method due to the revolving nature of the financing instrument. Upon early extinguishment of any borrowings, the unamortized portion of the related deferred financing costs will be immediately charged to expense. Total amortization expense related to deferred financing costs is included in Interest expense on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Accumulated amortization of deferred financing costs was $72,123 and $64,148 as of March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we incurred $255,564 of additional financing fees in connection with our negotiations regarding a new mortgage loan and credit facility with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“MetLife”)

Deferred Offering Costs

We account for deferred offering costs in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”), Topic 5.A, which states that incremental costs directly attributable to a proposed or actual offering of securities may properly be deferred and charged against the gross proceeds of the offering. Accordingly, we record costs incurred related to public offerings of equity securities on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and pro-ratably apply these amounts to the proceeds of equity as stock is issued. The deferred offering costs on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2014, are related to the filing and preparation of a registration statement on Form S-3, which was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 2, 2014.

Other Assets

Other assets consist primarily of income taxes receivable, deferred rent, prepaid expenses, deposits on potential real estate acquisitions and other miscellaneous receivables.

Revenue Recognition

Rental revenue includes rents that each tenant pays in accordance with the terms of its respective lease, reported evenly over the non-cancelable term of the lease. Some of our leases contain rental increases at specified intervals; we recognize such revenues on a straight-line basis. Deferred rent receivable, included in Other assets on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, includes the cumulative difference between rental revenue, as recorded on a straight-line basis, and rents received from the tenants in accordance with the lease terms. Capitalized above-market leases and capitalized below-market leases are included in Other assets and Other liabilities, respectively, on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, the value of which is amortized into rental income over the life of the respective leases. In addition, we determine, in our judgment, to what extent the deferred rent receivable applicable to each specific tenant is collectable. We periodically review deferred rent receivable, as it relates to straight-line rents, and take into consideration the tenant’s payment history, the financial condition of the tenant, business conditions of the industry in which the tenant operates and economic and agricultural conditions in the geographic area in which the property is located. In the event that the collectability of deferred rent with respect to any given tenant is in doubt, we record an allowance for uncollectable accounts or record a direct write-off of the specific rent receivable. No such reserves or direct write-offs have been recorded to date.

Income Taxes

We believe that we have completed all significant actions necessary to convert to a real estate investment trust (“REIT”), effective January 1, 2013, including the distribution of all accumulated earnings and profits from prior years. Therefore, beginning with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013, we intend to elect to be taxed as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to federal income taxes on amounts that we distribute to our stockholders (except income from any foreclosure property), provided that, on an annual basis, we distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains) to our stockholders and meet certain other conditions. To the extent that we satisfy the annual distribution requirement but distribute less than 100% of our taxable income, we will be subject to an excise tax on our undistributed taxable income. For all tax years prior to 2013, our net income was taxed at regular corporate tax rates for both federal and state purposes.

In connection with intercompany transfers of the farmland now held by San Andreas Road Watsonville, LLC (“San Andreas”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of ours, in 2002 and again in 2004 and of the farmland currently held by West Gonzales Road Oxnard, LLC (“West Gonzales”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of ours, in 2002, we created deferred intercompany gains that are taxable for both federal and state income tax purposes upon the occurrence of certain triggering events. These deferred intercompany gains are generally equal to the excess of the fair market value of the property over the tax basis of the property (determined as of the time that the deferred intercompany gain was created) and are deferred indefinitely until a triggering event occurs (such as REIT conversion), generally when the transferee or the transferor leaves the consolidated group, as defined by the relevant tax law, or the property is sold to a third party. In the case of a transfer of built-in gain property between members of a consolidated group, there are deferred intercompany gains to the transferring entity, and the receiving entity’s tax basis is the fair market value at the date of transfer. Thus, a deferred tax liability is created related to the deferred intercompany gain to the transferring entity, and an offsetting deferred tax asset is created representing the basis difference from the new tax basis of the receiving entity. As a result, the deferred tax assets and liabilities offset one another and there is no net impact to us. In accordance with ASC 740 and ASC 810, no tax impact is recognized in the condensed consolidated financial statements as a result of transfers of assets between members of a consolidated group.

As a result of the transfers mentioned above, the related federal and state deferred tax assets and liabilities each totaled approximately $2.2 million as of December 31, 2013. With respect to the federal portion of approximately $2.1 million, this amount will become payable as of the effective date of our REIT election, and, as a REIT, we will no longer be able to obtain the benefit of the related deferred tax asset. As such, in March 2013, we made a tax prepayment of $2.1 million in the form of a cash bond submitted to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) to cover this amount once it becomes due. Since we believe that we have completed all significant actions necessary to qualify as a REIT and intend to make an election to be treated as a REIT effective as of January 1, 2013, we reversed the $2.1 million deferred tax asset through our income tax provision during the year ended December 31, 2013. The REIT election does not have the same impact on the state tax amount of approximately $0.1 million, and, therefore, this amount will continue to be deferred.

At the time of transfer of San Andreas in February 2004 from SC Land, Inc. (“SC Land”), a deferred intercompany stock account (“DISA”) was created at the state income tax level. The DISA is calculated based upon the fair market value of the property at the time of distribution, resulting in a tax liability of approximately $98,000. SC Land was formally liquidated in June 2010; however, we have concluded that SC Land was de facto liquidated in May 2009, when it transferred its remaining existing assets to the parent company, since the business operations of SC Land were effectively terminated as of that date. The California state income taxes of $98,000 related to the DISA became payable at the time of the de facto liquidation in May 2009 and are being remitted by us in equal installments over a five-year period, the final installment of which will be made in 2014.

We transferred West Gonzales from SC Land into the parent company in May 2009. As stated in the paragraph above, we have concluded that SC Land was de facto liquidated in May 2009, and, as a result, we will not be subject to a tax on the transfer similar to that discussed in the paragraphs above related to the 2002 and 2004 transfers.

 

A reconciliation between the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate and our effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 is provided in the following table:

 

		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014				Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
U.S. statutory federal income tax rate			0.0	%			34.0	%
State taxes, net of U.S. federal income tax benefit			0.0	%			21.4	%
Other adjustments(1)			24.0	%			0.1	%
Effective tax rate			24.0	%			55.5	%

 

(1)	Adjustments made to the 2014 income tax provision relate to the remaining DISA owed to the state of California, as a result of the land transfers from prior years, mentioned above.

The provision for income taxes included in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for both 2014 and 2013 were all current.

Also, beginning with our tax year ended December 31, 2013, we intend for Land Advisers to be treated as a TRS and to be subject to federal and state income taxes. Though Land Advisers has had no activity to date, we would account for any future income taxes in accordance with the provisions of ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” Under ASC 740-10-25, we account for income taxes using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.

Comprehensive Income

For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, comprehensive income equaled net income; therefore, a separate statement of comprehensive income is not included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Guidance

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-08, “Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity.” Under this revised guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations, such as a disposal of a major geographic area, a major line of business or a major equity method investment, will be presented as discontinued operations. As an emerging growth company, the standard is effective for us with respect to (a) all disposals (or classifications as held for sale) of components of an entity that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015, and (b) all activities that, upon acquisition, are classified as held for sale that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015. We currently anticipate that this standard will not have a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.