Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures. As of October 31, 2023, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report.
Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Refer to “Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting” and “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” below.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management of Limoneira Company (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined in the Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
The Company’s management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of Limoneira Company’s internal control over financial reporting, based on the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that internal control over financial reporting was effective as of October 31, 2023. Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and has issued a report on internal control over financial reporting, which is included herein.
Harold S. Edwards
President and Chief Executive Officer
Mark Palamountain
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Limoneira Company
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Limoneira Company and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of October 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended October 31, 2023, of the Company and our report dated December 21, 2023, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements based on our audit and the report of the other auditors.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Los Angeles, California
December 21, 2023
83
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There have been no significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended October 31, 2023, or, to our knowledge, in other factors that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls. Control systems, no matter how well conceived and operated, are designed to provide a reasonable, but not an absolute, level of assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
Not applicable.
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PART III
Certain information required by Part III is omitted from this Annual Report because we will file a definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act (the “Proxy Statement”), not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report, and the applicable information included in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the Proxy Statement.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the Proxy Statement.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the Proxy Statement.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the Proxy Statement.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the Proxy Statement.
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Part IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a)(1) Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Public Company Accounting Oversight Board identification number 34
Consolidated Financial Statements of Limoneira Company
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 31, 2023 and 2022
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended October 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended October 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Temporary Equity for the years ended October 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended October 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules
Per Item 15(a)(2), list the following documents filed as part of the report: those financial statements required to be filed by Item 8 of this Form 10-K, and by paragraph (b) below.
(b) Exhibits
See “Exhibit Index” set forth on page 87.
(c) Financial Statement Schedules
Per Item 15(c), registrants shall file, as financial statement schedules to this Form 10-K, the financial statements required by Regulation S-X (17 CFR 210) which are excluded from the annual report to stockholders by Rule 14a-3(b) including: (1) separate financial statements of subsidiaries not consolidated and fifty percent or less owned persons; (2) separate financial statements of affiliates whose securities are pledged as collateral; and (3) schedules.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
None
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description
2.1 Certificate of Merger of Limoneira Company and The Samuel Edwards Associates into Limoneira Company, dated October 31, 1990 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10, and amendments thereto, declared effective April 13, 2010 (File No. 000-53885))
2.2 Certificate of Merger of McKevett Corporation into Limoneira Company dated December 31, 1994 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10, and amendments thereto, declared effective April 13, 2010 (File No. 000-53885))
2.3 Agreement of Merger Between Ronald Michaelis Ranches, Inc. and Limoneira Company, dated June 24, 1997 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.6 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10, and amendments thereto, declared effective April 13, 2010 (File No. 000-53885))
3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Limoneira Company, dated July 5, 1990 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10, and amendments thereto, declared effective April 13, 2010 (File No. 000-53885))
3.2 Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of Limoneira Company, dated April 22, 2003 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.7 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10, and amendments thereto, declared effective April 13, 2010 (File No. 000-53885))
3.3 Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of Limoneira Company, dated March 24, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.9 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10, and amendments thereto, declared effective April 13, 2010 (File No. 000-53885))
3.4 Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of Limoneira Company, dated March 29, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 31, 2017 (File No. 001-34755))
3.5 Amended and Restated Bylaws of Limoneira Company (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed October 27, 2021 (File No. 001-34755))
4.1 Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, $.01 Par Value, of Limoneira Company, dated November 21, 2006 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.8 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10, and amendments thereto, declared effective April 13, 2010 (File No. 000-53885))
4.2 Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of $8.75 Voting Preferred Stock, $100.00 Par Value, Series B of Limoneira Company, dated May 21, 1997 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10, and amendments thereto, declared effective April 13, 2010 (File No. 000-53885))
4.3 Amended Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of $8.75 Voting Preferred Stock, $100.00 Par Value, Series B of Limoneira Company, dated May 21, 1997 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.5 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10, and amendments thereto, declared effective April 13, 2010 (File No. 000-53885))
4.4 Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of 4% Voting Preferred Stock, $100.00 Par Value, Series B-2 of Limoneira Company, dated March 20, 2014 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 24, 2014 (File No. 001-34755))
4.5 Description of Securities (Incorporated by refer e nce to e xhibit 4.7 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on December 22, 2022 (File No. 001-34755))
87
Exhibit No. Description
10.1 Real Estate Advisory Management Consultant Agreement dated April 1, 2004, by and between Limoneira Company and Parkstone Companies (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed August 25, 2010 (File No. 001-34755))
10.2 Amendment No. 1 to Real Estate Advisory Management Consultant Agreement dated August 24, 2010, by and between Limoneira Company and Parkstone Companies (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed August 25, 2010 (File No. 001-34755))
10.3 Lease Agreement dated February 15, 2005, between Limoneira Company and Calavo Growers, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10, and amendments thereto, declared effective April 13, 2010 (File No. 000-53885))
10.4 Judgment, dated March 7, 1996, United Water Conservation Dist. v. City of San Buenaventura, et al., Case No. 115611, Superior Court of the State of California, Ventura County (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.24 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10, and amendments thereto, declared effective April 13, 2010 (File No. 000-53885))
10.5 Lease Agreement, dated July 1, 2013, by and between the Company and Cadiz, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed July 2, 2013 (File No. 001-34755))
10.6 Cadiz-Limoneira Amended and Restated Lease, dated February 3, 2015, by and between Cadiz Real Estate LLC and Limoneira Company (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed March 9, 2015 (File No. 001-34755)).
10.7 Series B-2 Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, dated March 21, 2014, by and between Limoneira Company and WPI-ACP Holdings, LLC (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 24, 2014 (File No. 001-34755))
10.8 Contribution Agreement, dated September 4, 2015, by and among Limoneira Company and Lewis Santa Paula Member, LLC (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed September 10, 2015 (File No. 001-34755))
10.9 First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Limoneira Lewis Community Builders, LLC, dated November 10, 2015, by and among Limoneira EA1 Land LLC and Lewis Santa Paula Member, LLC (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed November 16, 2015 (File No. 001-34755))
10.10 Retained Property Development Agreement, dated November 10, 2015, by and among Limoneira Company and Limoneira Lewis Community Builders, LLC (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed November 16, 2015 (File No. 001-34755)
10.11 Line of Credit Loan Agreement, dated February 22, 2018, by and between Limoneira Lewis Community Builders, LLC and Bank of America, N.A. (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 2, 2018 (File No. 001-34755))
10.12 Unsecured Line of Credit Promissory Note, dated February 22, 2018, by and between Limoneira Lewis Community Builders, LLC and Bank of America, N.A. (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 2, 2018 (File No. 001-34755))
88
Exhibit No. Description
10.13 Guaranty Agreement, dated February 22, 2018, by and among Richard A. Lewis, individually and as Trustee of the Richard A. Lewis Revocable Trust u/d/t dated August 16, 2004 , Robert E. Lewis, individually and as Trustee of the Robert E. Lewis Revocable Trust u/d/t dated August 17, 2004, Roger G. Lewis, individually and as Trustee of the Roger G. Lewis Revocable Trust u/d/t dated August 20, 2004, Randall W. Lewis, individually and as Trustee of the Randall W. Lewis Revocable Trust u/d/t dated September 1, 2006, and Limoneira Company (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 2, 2018 (File No. 001-34755))
10.14 Master Loan Agreement, dated June 1, 2021, between Limoneira Company and Farm Credit West, PCA (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 17, 2021 (File No. 001-34755))
10.15 Promissory Note and Revolving Credit Facility Supplement to Master Loan Agreement, dated June 1, 2021, between Limoneira Company and Farm Credit West, PCA (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 17, 2021 (File No. 001-34755))
10.16 Promissory Note and Non-Revolving Credit Facility Supplement to Master Loan Agreement, dated June 1, 2021, between Limoneira Company and Farm Credit West, PCA (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 17, 2021 (File No. 001-34755))
10.17 Agreement to Convert to Fixed Interest Rate, dated June 8, 2021, between Limoneira Company and Farm Credit West, PCA (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 17, 2021 (File No. 001-34755))
10.18† Limoneira Company 2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as approved by the Stockholders on March 22, 2022 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed August 1, 2022 (File No. 001-34755))
10.19† Form of Time-Based Restricted Share Award Agreement for Non-Employee Directors, Pursuant to the Limoneira Company 2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed August 1, 2022 (File No. 001-34755))
10.20† Form of Performance-Based Restricted Share Award Agreement, Pursuant to the Limoneira Company 2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed August 1, 2022 (File No. 001-34755))
10.21† Form of Time-Based Restricted Share Award Agreement for Employees, Pursuant to the Limoneira Company 2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.5 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed August 1, 2022 (File No. 001-34755))
10.22 Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of September 7, 2022, by and between Limoneira Company and Limoneira Lewis Community Builders, LLC (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed September 8, 2022 (File No. 001-34755))
10.23† Retention Bonus Agreement, dated October 26, 2022, between Limoneira Company and Harold Edwards (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed October 27, 2022 (File No. 001-34755))
10.24† Retention Bonus Agreement, dated October 26, 2022, between Limoneira Company and Mark Palamountain (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed October 27, 2022 (File No. 001-34755))
10.25 Standard Industrial/Commercial Single Tenant Lease, dated October 26, 2022 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed October 31, 2022 (File No. 001-34755))
89
Exhibit No. Description
10.26 First Amendment to the First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Limoneira Lewis Community Builders, LLC, dated October 25, 2022 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A, filed October 31, 2022 (File No. 001-34755))
10.27 Limited Liability Company Agreement of LLCB II, LLC, dated October 25, 2022 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on October 26, 2022 (File No. 001-34755))
10.28 Closing Agreement, dated October 25, 2022, between the Company, Limoneira Lewis Community Builders, LLC and Limoneira Lewis Community Builders II, LLC (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A, filed on October 31, 2022 (File No. 001-34755))
10.29 Farm Management Agreement, dated January 31, 2023, by and between Capital Agricultural Property Services, Inc. by and between Capital Agricultural Services, Inc. and Limoneira Company (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.6 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed March 9, 2023 (File No. 001-34755))
10.30 Grower Packing & Marketing Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2023, by and between Limoneira Company and PAI Centurion Citrus, LLC (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.7 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed March 9, 2023 (File No. 001-34755))
10.31 Form of Award Agreement under the Limoneira Company 2022 Omnibus Plan (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed November 2, 2023 (File No. 001-34755))
21.1* Subsidiaries of Limoneira Company
23.1* Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm - Deloitte & Touche LLP
23.2* Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm - Ernst & Young LLP
31.1* Certification of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a)
31.2* Certification of the Principal Financial and Accounting Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a)
32.1* Certification of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2* Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
97* Limoneira Company Amended and R estated Clawback Policy , dated as of October 3 0 , 2023
99.1* Limoneira Lewis Community Builders, LLC - Financial Statements as of October 31, 2023 and 20 2 2
101.INS* XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
90
101.LAB* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
Exhibit No. Description
101.PRE* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
* Filed or furnished herewith. In accordance with Item 601(b)(32)(ii) of Regulation S-K and SEC Release Nos. 33-8238 and 34-47986, Final Rule: Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting and Certification of Disclosure in Exchange Act Periodic Reports, the certifications furnished in Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 hereto are deemed to accompany this Annual Report on Form 10-K and will not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act. Such certifications will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the registrant specifically incorporates it by reference.
† Denotes management contracts and compensatory plans or arrangements.
91
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on December 21, 2023.
LIMONEIRA COMPANY
By: /s/ Harold S. Edwards
Harold S. Edwards
Director, President and
Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this report has been signed below on December 21, 2023, by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated:
Signature Title
/s/ Scott S. Slater Chairman of the Board of Directors
Scott S. Slater
/s/ Harold S. Edwards Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
Harold S. Edwards (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Mark Palamountain Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Mark Palamountain (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ Gordon E. Kimball Director
Gordon E. Kimball
/s/ Edgar Terry Director
Edgar Terry
/s/ Elizabeth Blanchard Chess Director
Elizabeth Blanchard Chess
/s/ Elizabeth Mora Director
Elizabeth Mora
/s/ Barbara Carbone Director
Barbara Carbone
92