Note 16. Related Party Transactions

Remy W. Trafelet

As described above, on February 11, 2019 and as contemplated by the Alico Settlement Agreement, Mr. Trafelet submitted to the Board his resignation as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and a member of the Board, effective upon the execution of the Alico Settlement Agreement. Also, on February 11, 2019, as contemplated by the Settlement Agreement, the Company entered into a consulting agreement (the “Consulting Agreement”) with Mr. Trafelet and 3584 Inc., an entity controlled by Mr. Trafelet (the “Consultant”). Pursuant to the Consulting Agreement, Mr. Trafelet made himself available to provide consulting services to the Company through the Consultant for up to 24 months. In exchange for the consulting services, the Consultant received an annual consulting fee of $400,000. The Company recorded an expense of $800,000, representing the full amount due under the agreement, in fiscal year 2019 upon the execution of the agreement. As of September 30, 2021, the Company had paid $800,000 in consulting fees and no further payments are due under this Consulting Agreement.

Capital Contribution

On September 6, 2022, all operating partners of Citree received a funding notice relating to an additional Cash Capital Contribution (“Contribution”) requirement of approximately $600,000 as a result of trees producing limited revenue because they are still in early-stage development, a freeze event occurred in January 2022 which negatively impacted both the box production and pounds solids, and the increased cost of fertilizer, other chemicals and fuel. The Company’s portion of the Contribution was approximately $306,000 and was funded on September 22, 2022. The remaining portion of the Contribution of $294,000 was funded by the noncontrolling parties.

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

Departure and Appointment of Chief Financial Officer

On May 17, 2022, Richard Rallo notified the Company of his decision to resign from his role as the Company’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) effective as of May 31, 2022. Mr. Rallo’s decision to resign was for personal reasons to eliminate extensive travel and/or avoid relocation to Florida and was not related to any disagreement with the Company or its independent registered public accountants on any matter relating to the Company’s financial or accounting operations, policies, or practices. Mr. Rallo has agreed to provide consulting services to the Company through December 31, 2022.

On September 6, 2022, the Company announced the appointment of Perry G. Del Vecchio, age 55, as the Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) of the Company, effective as of September 6, 2022. Mr. Del Vecchio is responsible for all corporate finance, treasury and accounting functions of the Company and reports directly to John Kiernan, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

Employment and Bonus Agreement

On April 1, 2022, the Company entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with John E. Kiernan (the “Employment Agreement”). At the same time, the Company and Mr. Kiernan entered into an annual performance and long-term bonus agreement (the “Bonus Agreement”). Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, Mr. Kiernan will remain President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, for a term commencing on April 1, 2022, and ending on September 30, 2024, subject to extension and termination pursuant to the provisions of the Employment Agreement. The Bonus Agreement sets forth the terms under which Mr. Kiernan would be eligible and entitled to short-term and long-term incentive cash and equity bonuses. For further details of this Employment Agreement and the Bonus Agreement, please see the Form 8-K filed by the Company with the SEC on April 5, 2022.

Lease Agreement

On January 1, 2022, Mr. Kiernan, the Company’s President and CEO, entered into a Hunting Lease Agreement and Real Estate Purchase and Sale Option Agreement, with the Company (the “Kiernan Lease Agreement”). Under the Kiernan Lease Agreement, the Company leased approximately 93 acres of Company owned, largely unimproved land (the “Land”) to Mr. Kiernan for a three-year term commencing on January 1, 2022, and ending on January 1, 2025, and with a yearly rent of $1,860. Additionally, under the terms of the Kiernan Lease Agreement, the Company granted to Mr. Kiernan an option to purchase the Land from the Company, exercisable only during the one-year period January 1, 2022, through January 1, 2023, and at a price of $480,000 ($5,161 per acre), which price was based on an independent appraisal obtained by the Company. On January 5, 2022, Mr. Kiernan exercised his option to purchase the land. Pursuant to exercise of the option, the Company sold approximately 85 acres to Mr. Kiernan on October 20, 2022 for approximately $438,900 ($5,161 per acre).