UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 


 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 16, 2014

 


 

FARMLAND PARTNERS INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Maryland

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

001-36405

(Commission

File Number)

 

46-3769850

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

8670 Wolff Court, Suite 240

Westminster, Colorado

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

80031

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (452) 452-3100

 

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 


 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o       Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o       Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o       Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o       Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 



 

Item 1.01.             Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

 

Purchase Agreements for Farmland Acquisition

 

On April 18, 2014, Farmland Partners Inc. (the “Company”) entered into purchase agreements (the “Purchase Agreements”) with unrelated third-party individuals (together, the “Seller”) to acquire an approximately 3,696-acre row crop farm (the “Farm”) for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $8.75 million in cash (the “Purchase Price”). The Burlington, Colorado-based farm is located primarily in eastern Colorado, with a small portion of the acres immediately across the border in western Kansas. In connection with the acquisition, the Company intends to lease the Farm back to the Seller.

 

The acquisition is expected to close no later than May 30, 2014, subject to the Company’s obtaining mortgage financing for at least 40% of the Purchase Price and the satisfaction of certain customary closing conditions. There can be no assurance that these conditions will be satisfied or that the pending acquisition will be consummated on the terms described herein, or at all.

 

IPO-Related Agreements

 

On April 16, 2014, the Company completed its initial public offering of 3,800,000 shares of its common stock, $0.01 par value per share, at a public offering price of $14.00 per share. In connection with the initial public offering and related formation transactions, the Company entered into the following material agreements, each dated April 16, 2014:

 

·                   Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Farmland Partners Operating Partnership, LP (the “Operating Partnership”);

 

·                   Employment Agreement by and among the Company, the Operating Partnership and Paul A. Pittman;

 

·                   Employment Agreement by and among the Company, the Operating Partnership and Luca Fabbri;

 

·                   Consulting Agreement by and between the Company and Jesse J. Hough;

 

·                   Shared Services Agreement by and among the Company, the Operating Partnership and American Agriculture Corporation;

 

·                   Indemnification Agreements between the Company and each of its directors and officers;

 

·                   Tax Protection Agreement by and among the Company, the Operating Partnership and Pittman Hough Farms LLC; and

 

·                   Registration Rights Agreement by and between the Company and Pittman Hough Farms LLC.

 

For a description of these agreements, see the Company’s final prospectus, dated April 10, 2014 (the “Final Prospectus”), relating to the Company’s initial public offering and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), which descriptions are incorporated herein by reference. Copies of these agreements are filed as exhibits to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference. The descriptions of these agreements contained in the Final Prospectus do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the agreements.

 

The information set forth in Item 2.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Item 2.03.                                         Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

 

On April 16, 2014, the Operating Partnership, as borrower, and First Midwest Bank, as lender, entered into the Amended and Restated Business Loan Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”), which provides for loans in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $30.8 million. See the Final Prospectus for a description of the Loan Agreement, which description is incorporated herein by reference. A copy of the Loan Agreement is filed as an exhibit to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. The description of the Loan Agreement contained in the Final Prospectus does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of Loan Agreement.

 

In connection with the Loan Agreement, PH Farms LLC and Cottonwood Valley Land, LLC, which are wholly owned subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership, unconditionally agreed to guarantee all of the obligations of the Operating Partnership under the Loan Agreement. In addition, Paul A. Pittman, the Company’s Executive Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Jesse J. Hough, the Company’s consultant, unconditionally agreed to jointly and severally guarantee $11.0 million of the Operating Partnership’s obligations under the Loan Agreement.

 

Item 7.01.             Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

On April 21, 2014, the Company issued a press release announcing that it had entered into the Purchase Agreements. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

In accordance with General Instructions B.2 and B.6 of Form 8-K, the information included in Item 7.01 of  this Current Report on Form 8-K (including Exhibit 99.1) shall not be deemed “filed” for any purpose, including for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing made by the Company under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

Statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K, and other statements that the Company may make, contain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the completion of the pending acquisition, within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of the Company, are generally identifiable by use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project” or similar expressions. The Company’s ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include satisfaction of the closing conditions to the Agreements described above, certain laws in Kansas that prohibit or restrict the ownership of agricultural land by corporations and other risks detailed under “Risk Factors” in the Final Prospectus and in the other documents the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Many of these factors are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. For forward-looking statements herein, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events, except to the extent required by law.

 

3



 

Item 9.01.             Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

The following exhibits are filed or furnished, as applicable, with this Current Report on Form 8-K:

 

Exhibit
No.

 

Description

 

 

 

10.1

 

Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Farmland Partners Operating Partnership, LP, dated April 16, 2014.

10.2

 

Employment Agreement, dated April 16, 2014, by and among Farmland Partners Inc., Farmland Partners Operating Partnership, LP and Paul A. Pittman.

10.3

 

Employment Agreement, dated April 16, 2014, by and among Farmland Partners Inc., Farmland Partners Operating Partnership, LP and Luca Fabbri.

10.4

 

Consulting Agreement , dated April 16, 2014, by and between Farmland Partners Inc. and Jesse J. Hough.

10.5

 

Shared Services Agreement , dated April 16, 2014, by and among Farmland Partners Inc., Farmland Partners Operating Partnership, LP and American Agriculture Corporation.

10.6

 

Indemnification Agreement by and between Farmland Partners Inc. and each of its directors and officers listed on Schedule A thereto.

10.7

 

Tax Protection Agreement , dated April 16, 2014, by and among Farmland Partners Inc., Farmland Partners Operating Partnership, LP, and Pittman Hough Farms LLC.

10.8

 

Registration Rights Agreement , dated April 16, 2014, by and between Farmland Partners Inc. and Pittman Hough Farms LLC.

10.9

 

Amended and Restated Business Loan Agreement , dated April 16, 2014, by and between Farmland Partners Operating Partnership, LP and First Midwest Bank.

99.1*

 

Press Release, dated April 21, 2014.

 


* Furnished herewith.

 

4



 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

FARMLAND PARTNERS INC.

 

 

Dated: April 22, 2014

 

By:

/s/ Luca Fabbri

 

 

 

Luca Fabbri

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer

 

5



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
No.

 

Description

 

 

 

10.1

 

Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Farmland Partners Operating Partnership, LP, dated April 16, 2014.

10.2

 

Employment Agreement, dated April 16, 2014, by and among Farmland Partners Inc., Farmland Partners Operating Partnership, LP and Paul A. Pittman.

10.3

 

Employment Agreement, dated April 16, 2014, by and among Farmland Partners Inc., Farmland Partners Operating Partnership, LP and Luca Fabbri.

10.4

 

Consulting Agreement , dated April 16, 2014, by and between Farmland Partners Inc. and Jesse J. Hough.

10.5

 

Shared Services Agreement , dated April 16, 2014, by and among Farmland Partners Inc., Farmland Partners Operating Partnership, LP and American Agriculture Corporation.

10.6

 

Indemnification Agreement by and between Farmland Partners Inc. and each of its directors and officers listed on Schedule A thereto.

10.7

 

Tax Protection Agreement , dated April 16, 2014, by and among Farmland Partners Inc., Farmland Partners Operating Partnership, LP, and Pittman Hough Farms LLC.

10.8

 

Registration Rights Agreement , dated April 16, 2014, by and between Farmland Partners Inc. and Pittman Hough Farms LLC.

10.9

 

Amended and Restated Business Loan Agreement , dated April 16, 2014, by and between Farmland Partners Operating Partnership, LP and First Midwest Bank.

99.1*

 

Press Release, dated April 21, 2014.

 


* Furnished herewith.

 

6


EXHIBIT 10.1

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

 

OF

 

FARMLAND PARTNERS OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, LP

 


 

THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION, UNLESS IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE PARTNERSHIP THE PROPOSED SALE, TRANSFER OR OTHER DISPOSITION MAY BE EFFECTED WITHOUT REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND UNDER APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES OR “BLUE SKY” LAWS.

 


 

Dated as of April 16, 2014

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

ARTICLE I DEFINED TERMS

2

 

 

ARTICLE II ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

14

 

 

Section 2.1

Organization

14

Section 2.2

Name

15

Section 2.3

Registered Office and Agent; Principal Office

15

Section 2.4

Term

15

Section 2.5

Partnership Interests as Securities

16

Section 2.6

Certificates Describing Partnership Units

16

 

 

 

ARTICLE III PURPOSE

16

 

 

Section 3.1

Purpose and Business

16

Section 3.2

Powers

16

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCES OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

17

 

 

Section 4.1

Capital Contributions of the Partners

17

Section 4.2

Issuances of Partnership Interests

17

Section 4.3

No Preemptive Rights

19

Section 4.4

Other Contribution Provisions

19

Section 4.5

No Interest on Capital

19

Section 4.6

LTIP Units

19

Section 4.7

Conversion of LTIP Units

22

 

 

 

ARTICLE V DISTRIBUTIONS

25

 

 

Section 5.1

Requirement and Characterization of Distributions

25

Section 5.2

Amounts Withheld

27

Section 5.3

Distributions Upon Liquidation

28

Section 5.4

Revisions to Reflect Issuance of Partnership Interests

28

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI ALLOCATIONS

28

 

 

Section 6.1

Allocations for Capital Account Purposes

28

Section 6.2

Revisions to Allocations to Reflect Issuance of Partnership Interests or Certain DRO Obligations

31

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS OF BUSINESS

31

 

 

Section 7.1

Management

31

Section 7.2

Certificate of Limited Partnership

35

Section 7.3

Title to Partnership Assets

35

Section 7.4

Reimbursement of the General Partner and the Parent

36

Section 7.5

Outside Activities of the General Partner; Relationship of Shares to Partnership Units; Funding Debt

38

Section 7.6

Transactions with Affiliates

40

Section 7.7

Indemnification

41

 

i



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

Section 7.8

Liability of the General Partner

43

Section 7.9

Other Matters Concerning the General Partner

44

Section 7.10

Reliance by Third Parties

45

Section 7.11

Restrictions on General Partner’s Authority

45

Section 7.12

Loans by Third Parties

46

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF LIMITED PARTNERS

46

 

 

Section 8.1

Limitation of Liability

46

Section 8.2

Management of Business

46

Section 8.3

Outside Activities of Limited Partners

46

Section 8.4

Return of Capital

47

Section 8.5

Rights of Limited Partners Relating to the Partnership

47

Section 8.6

Redemption Right

49

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS

52

 

 

Section 9.1

Records and Accounting

52

Section 9.2

Fiscal Year

52

Section 9.3

Reports

52

 

 

 

ARTICLE X TAX MATTERS

53

 

 

Section 10.1

Preparation of Tax Returns

53

Section 10.2

Tax Elections

53

Section 10.3

Tax Matters Partner

53

Section 10.4

Organizational Expenses

55

Section 10.5

Withholding

55

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI TRANSFERS AND WITHDRAWALS

56

 

 

Section 11.1

Transfer

56

Section 11.2

Transfers of Partnership Interests of General Partner

56

Section 11.3

Limited Partners’ Rights to Transfer

57

Section 11.4

Substituted Limited Partners

58

Section 11.5

Assignees

59

Section 11.6

General Provisions

59

 

 

 

ARTICLE XII ADMISSION OF PARTNERS

61

 

 

Section 12.1

Admission of a Successor General Partner

61

Section 12.2

Admission of Additional Limited Partners

62

Section 12.3

Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership

62

Section 12.4

Limit on Number of Partners

62

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIII DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION

63

 

 

Section 13.1

Dissolution

63

Section 13.2

Winding Up

63

Section 13.3

Compliance with Timing Requirements of Regulations; Restoration of Deficit Capital Accounts

65

 

ii



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

Section 13.4

Rights of Limited Partners

66

Section 13.5

Notice of Dissolution

67

Section 13.6

Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership

67

Section 13.7

Reasonable Time for Winding Up

67

Section 13.8

Waiver of Partition

67

Section 13.9

Liability of Liquidator

67

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIV AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS

67

 

 

Section 14.1

Amendments

67

Section 14.2

Meetings of the Partners

69

 

 

 

ARTICLE XV GENERAL PROVISIONS

70

 

 

Section 15.1

Addresses and Notice

70

Section 15.2

Titles and Captions

70

Section 15.3

Pronouns and Plurals

71

Section 15.4

Further Action

71

Section 15.5

Binding Effect

71

Section 15.6

Creditors

71

Section 15.7

Waiver

71

Section 15.8

Counterparts

71

Section 15.9

Applicable Law

71

Section 15.10

Invalidity of Provisions

72

Section 15.11

Power of Attorney

72

Section 15.12

Entire Agreement

73

Section 15.13

No Rights as Stockholders

73

Section 15.14

Limitation to Preserve REIT Status

73

 

List of Exhibits:

 

Exhibit A — Partner Registry

Exhibit B — Capital Account Maintenance

Exhibit C — Special Allocation Rules

Exhibit D — Notice of Redemption

Exhibit E — Form of DRO Registry

Exhibit F — Notice of Election by Partner to Convert LTIP Units into Class A Units

Exhibit G — Notice of Election by Partnership to Force Conversion of LTIP Units into Class A Units

 

iii



 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

 

OF

 

FARMLAND PARTNERS OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, LP

 

THIS SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, dated as of April 16, 2014, (the “ Agreement ”) is entered into by and among Farmland Partners OP GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as the General Partner, and the Persons whose names are set forth on the Partner Registry (as hereinafter defined) as Limited Partners, together with any other Persons who become Partners in Farmland Partners Operating Partnership, LP (the “ Partnership ”) as provided herein.

 

WHEREAS, on September 27, 2013, Farmland Partners Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Parent ”), formed the Partnership as a limited partnership pursuant to Delaware law by the filing of the Certificate of Limited Partnership with the Delaware Secretary of State;

 

WHEREAS, the Parent and Paul A. Pittman (the “ Organizational Limited Partner ”) entered into that certain Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership dated as of September 27, 2013 (the “ Original Agreement ”);

 

WHEREAS, on March 5, 2014, an amendment to the Certificate of Limited Partnership was filed with the Delaware Secretary of State to reflect the withdrawal of the Parent as the General Partner and the admission of Farmland Partners OP GP, LLC as the General Partner;

 

WHEREAS, the General Partner and the Organizational Limited Partner entered into that certain First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership dated as of March 5, 2014 (the “ First Amended and Restated Agreement ”); and

 

WHEREAS, the partners of the Partnership now wish to amend and restate the partnership agreement as set forth herein, which shall amend, restate and supersede the First Amended and Restated Agreement in its entirety.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree to amend and restate the Original Agreement in its entirety and agree to continue the Partnership as a limited partnership under the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, as amended from time to time, as follows:

 

1



 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINED TERMS

 

The following definitions shall be for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, applied to the terms used in this Agreement.

 

Act ” means the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, as it may be amended from time to time, and any successor to such statute.

 

Additional Limited Partner ” means a Person admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner pursuant to Section 12.2 and who is shown as a Limited Partner on the Partner Registry.

 

Adjusted Capital Account ” means the Capital Account maintained for each Partner as of the end of each Fiscal Year (i) increased by any amounts which such Partner is obligated to restore pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate sentences of Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5) and (ii) decreased by the items described in Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5) and 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6).  The foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account is intended to comply with the provisions of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

Adjusted Capital Account Deficit ” means, with respect to any Partner, the deficit balance, if any, in such Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account as of the end of the relevant Fiscal Year.

 

Adjusted Property ” means any property the Carrying Value of which has been adjusted pursuant to Exhibit B .

 

Adjustment Event ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6.A(i) .

 

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person, (ii) any Person owning or controlling ten percent (10%) or more of the outstanding voting interests of such Person, (iii) any Person of which such Person owns or controls ten percent (10%) or more of the voting interests or (iv) any officer, director, general partner or trustee of such Person or any Person referred to in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) above.  For purposes of this definition, “control,” when used with respect to any Person, means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

Aggregate DRO Amount ” means the aggregate balances of the DRO Amounts, if any, of all DRO Partners, if any, as determined on the date in question.

 

Agreed Value ” means (i) in the case of any Contributed Property, the Section 704(c) Value of such property as of the time of its contribution to the Partnership, reduced by any liabilities either assumed by the Partnership upon such contribution or to which such property is

 

2



 

subject when contributed as determined under Section 752 of the Code and the Regulations thereunder; and (ii) in the case of any property distributed to a Partner by the Partnership, the Partnership’s Carrying Value of such property at the time such property is distributed, reduced by any indebtedness either assumed by such Partner upon such distribution or to which such property is subject at the time of distribution.

 

Agreement ” means this Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership, as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

 

Assignee ” means a Person to whom one or more Partnership Units have been transferred in a manner permitted under this Agreement, but who has not become a Substituted Limited Partner, and who has the rights set forth in Section 11.5 .

 

Available Cash ” means, with respect to any period for which such calculation is being made:

 

(a)                                  all cash revenues and funds received by the Partnership from whatever source (excluding the proceeds of any Capital Contribution, unless otherwise determined by the General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion) plus the amount of any reduction (including, without limitation, a reduction resulting because the General Partner determines such amounts are no longer necessary) in reserves of the Partnership, which reserves are referred to in clause (b)(iv) below;

 

(b)                                  less the sum of the following (except to the extent made with the proceeds of any Capital Contribution):

 

(i)                                      all interest, principal and other debt-related payments made during such period by the Partnership,

 

(ii)                                   all cash expenditures (including capital expenditures) made by the Partnership during such period,

 

(iii)                                investments in any entity (including loans made thereto) to the extent that such investments are permitted under this Agreement and are not otherwise described in clauses (b)(i) or (ii), and

 

(iv)                               the amount of any increase in reserves established during such period which the General Partner determines is necessary or appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion (including any reserves that may be necessary or appropriate to account for distributions required with respect to Partnership Interests having a preference over other classes of Partnership Interests).

 

(c)                                   with any other adjustments as determined by the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, after commencement of the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership, Available Cash shall not include any cash received or reductions in reserves and shall not take into account any disbursements made or reserves established.

 

3



 

Book-Tax Disparities ” means, with respect to any item of Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, as of the date of any determination, the difference between the Carrying Value of such Contributed Property or Adjusted Property and the adjusted basis thereof for U.S. federal income tax purposes as of such date.  A Partner’s share of the Partnership’s Book-Tax Disparities in all of its Contributed Property and Adjusted Property will be reflected by the difference between such Partner’s Capital Account balance as maintained pursuant to Exhibit B and the hypothetical balance of such Partner’s Capital Account computed as if it had been maintained strictly in accordance with U.S. federal income tax accounting principles.

 

Business Day ” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, NY are authorized or required by law to close.

 

Capital Account ” means the Capital Account maintained for a Partner pursuant to Exhibit B .  The initial Capital Account balance for each Partner who is a Partner on the date hereof shall be the amount set forth opposite such Partner’s name on the Partner Registry.

 

Capital Account Limitation ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7.B .

 

Capital Contribution ” means, with respect to any Partner, any cash and the Agreed Value of Contributed Property which such Partner contributes or is deemed to contribute to the Partnership.

 

Carrying Value ” means (i) with respect to a Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, the Section 704(c) Value of such property reduced (but not below zero) by all Depreciation with respect to such Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, as the case may be, charged to the Partners’ Capital Accounts and (ii) with respect to any other Partnership property, the adjusted basis of such property for U.S. federal income tax purposes, all as of the time of determination.  The Carrying Value of any property shall be adjusted from time to time in accordance with Exhibit B , and to reflect changes, additions (including capital improvements thereto) or other adjustments to the Carrying Value for dispositions and acquisitions of Partnership properties, as deemed appropriate by the General Partner.

 

Cash Amount ” means an amount of cash equal to the Value on the Valuation Date of the Shares Amount.

 

Certificate of Limited Partnership ” means the Certificate of Limited Partnership relating to the Partnership filed in the office of the Delaware Secretary of State, as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and the Act.

 

Charter ” means the charter of the Parent, within the meaning of Section 1-101(f) of the Maryland General Corporation Law.

 

Class A ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.C .

 

Class A Share ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.C .

 

Class A Unit ” means any Partnership Unit that is not specifically designated by the General Partner as being of another specified class of Partnership Units.

 

4



 

Class A Unit Distribution ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6.A .

 

Class A Unit Economic Balance ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.E .

 

Class A Unit Transaction ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7.F .

 

Class B ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.C .

 

Class B Share ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.C .

 

Class B Unit ” means a Partnership Unit that is specifically designated by the General Partner as being a Class B Unit.

 

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time, as interpreted by the applicable regulations thereunder.  Any reference herein to a specific section or sections of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any corresponding provision of future law.

 

Consent ” means the consent or approval of a proposed action by a Partner given in accordance with Article XIV .

 

Consent of the Outside Limited Partners ” means the Consent of Limited Partners (excluding for this purpose (i) any Limited Partner Interests held by the General Partner or the Parent, (ii) any Person of which the General Partner or the Parent directly or indirectly owns or controls more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests and (iii) any Person directly or indirectly owning or controlling more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting interests of the General Partner or the Parent) holding Partnership Interests representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the Percentage Interest of the Class A Units of all Limited Partners which are not excluded pursuant to (i), (ii) and (iii) above.

 

Constituent Person ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7.F .

 

Contributed Property ” means each property or other asset contributed to the Partnership, in such form as may be permitted by the Act, but excluding cash contributed or deemed contributed to the Partnership.  Once the Carrying Value of a Contributed Property is adjusted pursuant to Exhibit B , such property shall no longer constitute a Contributed Property for purposes of Exhibit B , but shall be deemed an Adjusted Property for such purposes.

 

Conversion Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7.B .

 

Conversion Factor ” means 1.0; provided, however, that, if the Parent (i) declares or pays a dividend on its outstanding Shares in Shares or makes a distribution to all holders of its outstanding Shares in Shares and does not make a corresponding distribution on Class A Units in Class A Units, (ii) subdivides its outstanding Shares, or (iii) combines its outstanding Shares into a smaller number of Shares, the Conversion Factor shall be adjusted by multiplying the Conversion Factor by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of Shares issued and outstanding on the record date for such dividend, distribution, subdivision or combination (assuming for such purposes that such dividend, distribution, subdivision or combination has

 

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occurred as of such time) and the denominator of which shall be the actual number of Shares (determined without the above assumption) issued and outstanding on the record date for such dividend, distribution, subdivision or combination; and provided further that in the event that an entity other than an Affiliate of the Parent shall become General Partner pursuant to any merger, consolidation or combination of the General Partner or the Parent with or into another entity (the “ Successor Entity ”), the Conversion Factor shall be adjusted by multiplying the Conversion Factor by the number of shares of the Successor Entity into which one Share is converted pursuant to such merger, consolidation or combination, determined as of the date of such merger, consolidation or combination.  Any adjustment to the Conversion Factor shall become effective immediately after the effective date of the event retroactive to the record date, if any, for the event giving rise thereto, it being intended that (x) adjustments to the Conversion Factor are to be made to avoid unintended dilution or anti-dilution as a result of transactions in which Shares are issued, redeemed or exchanged without a corresponding issuance, redemption or exchange of Partnership Units and (y) if a Specified Redemption Date shall fall between the record date and the effective date of any event of the type described above, that the Conversion Factor applicable to such redemption shall be adjusted to take into account such event.

 

Conversion Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7.B .

 

Conversion Right ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7.A .

 

Convertible Funding Debt ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.5.F .

 

Debt ” means, as to any Person, as of any date of determination, (i) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services, (ii) all amounts owed by such Person to banks or other Persons in respect of reimbursement obligations under letters of credit, surety bonds and other similar instruments guaranteeing payment or other performance of obligations by such Person, (iii) all indebtedness for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services secured by any lien on any property owned by such Person, to the extent attributable to such Person’s interest in such property, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment thereof, and (iv) obligations of such Person incurred in connection with entering into a lease which, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, should be capitalized.

 

Depreciation ” means, for each Fiscal Year, an amount equal to the U.S. federal income tax depreciation, amortization, or other cost recovery deduction allowable with respect to an asset for such year, except that if the Carrying Value of an asset differs from its adjusted basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes at the beginning of such year or other period, Depreciation shall be an amount which bears the same ratio to such beginning Carrying Value as the U.S. federal income tax depreciation, amortization, or other cost recovery deduction for such year bears to such beginning adjusted tax basis; provided, however, that if the U.S. federal income tax depreciation, amortization, or other cost recovery deduction for such year is zero, Depreciation shall be determined with reference to such beginning Carrying Value using any reasonable method selected by the General Partner.

 

Distribution Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.C .

 

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DRO Amount ” means the amount specified in the DRO Registry with respect to any DRO Partner, as such DRO Registry may be amended from time to time.

 

DRO Partner ” means a Partner who has agreed in writing to be a DRO Partner and has agreed and is obligated to make certain contributions, not in excess of such DRO Partner’s DRO Amount, to the Partnership with respect to any deficit balance in such Partner’s Capital Account upon the occurrence of certain events.  A DRO Partner who is obligated to make any such contribution only upon liquidation of the Partnership shall be designated in the DRO Registry as a Part I DRO Partner and a DRO Partner who is obligated to make any such contribution to the Partnership either upon liquidation of the Partnership or upon liquidation of such DRO Partner’s Partnership Interest shall be designated in the DRO Registry as a Part II DRO Partner.

 

DRO Registry ” means the DRO Registry maintained by the General Partner in the books and records of the Partnership containing substantially the same information as would be necessary to complete the Form of DRO Registry attached hereto as Exhibit E .

 

Economic Capital Account Balances ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.E .

 

Effective Date ” means April 16, 2014, the date of the closing of the initial public offering of the Parent’s shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share.

 

Equity Incentive Plan ” means any equity incentive or compensation plan hereafter adopted by the Partnership or the Parent, including, without limitation, the Farmland Partners Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

 

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Fiscal Year ” means the fiscal year of the Partnership, which shall be the calendar year as provided in Section 9.2 .

 

Forced Conversion ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7.C .

 

Forced Conversion Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7.C .

 

Funding Debt ” means any Debt incurred for the purpose of providing funds to the Partnership by or on behalf of the Parent or any wholly owned subsidiary of the Parent.

 

General Partner ” means Farmland Partners OP GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, or its successor or permitted assignee, as general partner of the Partnership.

 

General Partner Interest ” means the Partnership Interest held by the General Partner, which Partnership Interest is an interest as a general partner under the Act. The General Partner will not be required to make a Capital Contribution to the Partnership in exchange for the General Partner Interest.  A General Partner Interest may be expressed as a number of Partnership Units.

 

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General Partner Payment ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.14 .

 

IRS ” means the Internal Revenue Service, which administers the internal revenue laws of the United States.

 

Immediate Family ” means, with respect to any natural Person, such natural Person’s spouse, parents, descendants, nephews, nieces, brothers, and sisters.

 

Incapacity ” or “ Incapacitated ” means, (i) as to any individual who is a Partner, death, total physical disability or entry by a court of competent jurisdiction adjudicating such Partner incompetent to manage his or her Person or estate, (ii) as to any corporation which is a Partner, the filing of a certificate of dissolution, or its equivalent, for the corporation or the revocation of its charter, (iii) as to any partnership or limited liability company which is a Partner, the dissolution and commencement of winding up of the partnership or limited liability company, (iv) as to any estate which is a Partner, the distribution by the fiduciary of the estate’s entire interest in the Partnership, (v) as to any trustee of a trust which is a Partner, the termination of the trust (but not the substitution of a new trustee) or (vi) as to any Partner, the bankruptcy of such Partner.  For purposes of this definition, bankruptcy of a Partner shall be deemed to have occurred when (a) the Partner commences a voluntary proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, (b) the Partner is adjudged as bankrupt or insolvent, or a final and nonappealable order for relief under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in effect has been entered against the Partner, (c) the Partner executes and delivers a general assignment for the benefit of the Partner’s creditors, (d) the Partner files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against the Partner in any proceeding of the nature described in clause (b) above, (e) the Partner seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee, receiver or liquidator for the Partner or for all or any substantial part of the Partner’s properties, (f) any proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect has not been dismissed within one hundred twenty (120) days after the commencement thereof, (g) the appointment without the Partner’s consent or acquiescence of a trustee, receiver or liquidator has not been vacated or stayed within ninety (90) days of such appointment or (h) an appointment referred to in clause (g) is not vacated within ninety (90) days after the expiration of any such stay.

 

Indemnitee ” means (i) any Person made a party to a proceeding by reason of its status as (A) the General Partner, (B) a Limited Partner or (C) a director or officer of the Partnership, the General Partner or the Parent and (ii) such other Persons (including Affiliates of the General Partner, the Parent, a Limited Partner or the Partnership) as the General Partner may designate from time to time (whether before or after the event giving rise to potential liability), in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

Limited Partner ” means any Person named as a Limited Partner in the Partner Registry or any Substituted Limited Partner or Additional Limited Partner, in such Person’s capacity as a Limited Partner in the Partnership.

 

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Limited Partner Interest ” means a Partnership Interest of a Limited Partner in the Partnership representing a fractional part of the Partnership Interests of all Limited Partners and includes any and all benefits to which the holder of such a Partnership Interest may be entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of such Person to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.  A Limited Partner Interest may be expressed as a number of Partnership Units.

 

Liquidating Event ” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.1 .

 

Liquidating Gains ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.E .

 

Liquidator ” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.2.A .

 

LTIP Units ” means a Partnership Unit which is designated as an LTIP Unit and which has the rights, preferences and other privileges designated in Section 4.6 and elsewhere in this Agreement in respect of holders of LTIP Units.  The allocation of LTIP Units among the Partners shall be set forth in the Partner Registry, as it may be amended or restated from time to time.

 

LTIP Unitholder ” means a Partner that holds LTIP Units.

 

LV Safe Harbor ” “ LV Safe Harbor Election ” and “ LV Safe Harbor Interest ” each has the meaning set forth in Section 10.2.B .

 

Net Income ” means, for any taxable period, the excess, if any, of the Partnership’s items of income and gain for such taxable period over the Partnership’s items of loss and deduction for such taxable period.  The items included in the calculation of Net Income shall be determined in accordance with Exhibit B .  If an item of income, gain, loss or deduction that has been included in the initial computation of Net Income is subjected to the special allocation rules in Exhibit C , Net Income or the resulting Net Loss, whichever the case may be, shall be recomputed without regard to such item.

 

Net Loss ” means, for any taxable period, the excess, if any, of the Partnership’s items of loss and deduction for such taxable period over the Partnership’s items of income and gain for such taxable period.  The items included in the calculation of Net Loss shall be determined in accordance with Exhibit B .  If an item of income, gain, loss or deduction that has been included in the initial computation of Net Loss is subjected to the special allocation rules in Exhibit C , Net Loss or the resulting Net Income, whichever the case may be, shall be recomputed without regard to such item.

 

New Securities ” means (i) any rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities having the right to subscribe for or purchase Shares, excluding grants under any Equity Incentive Plan, or (ii) any Debt issued by the Parent that provides any of the rights described in clause (i).

 

Nonrecourse Built-in Gain ” means, with respect to any Contributed Properties or Adjusted Properties that are subject to a mortgage or negative pledge securing a Nonrecourse Liability, the amount of any taxable gain that would be allocated to the Partners pursuant to

 

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Section 2.B of Exhibit C if such properties were disposed of in a taxable transaction in full satisfaction of such liabilities and for no other consideration.

 

Nonrecourse Deductions ” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(1), and the amount of Nonrecourse Deductions for a Fiscal Year shall be determined in accordance with the rules of Regulations Section 1.704-2(c).

 

Nonrecourse Liability ” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.752-1(a)(2).

 

Notice of Redemption ” means a Notice of Redemption substantially in the form of Exhibit D .

 

Operating Entity ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4.F .

 

Organizational Limited Partner ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

Original Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

Partner ” means the General Partner or a Limited Partner, and “ Partners ” means the General Partner and the Limited Partners.

 

Partner Minimum Gain ” means an amount, with respect to each Partner Nonrecourse Debt, equal to the Partnership Minimum Gain that would result if such Partner Nonrecourse Debt were treated as a Nonrecourse Liability, determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(3).

 

Partner Nonrecourse Debt ” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(4).

 

Partner Nonrecourse Deductions ” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(i), and the amount of Partner Nonrecourse Deductions with respect to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt for a Fiscal Year shall be determined in accordance with the rules of Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(2).

 

Partner Registry ” means the Partner Registry maintained by the General Partner in the books and records of the Partnership, which contains substantially the same information as would be necessary to complete the form of the Partner Registry attached hereto as Exhibit A .

 

Partnership ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

Partnership Interest ” means a Limited Partner Interest, a General Partner Interest or LTIP Units, and includes any and all benefits to which the holder of such a partnership interest may be entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of such Person to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.  A Partnership Interest may be expressed as a number of Partnership Units.

 

Partnership Minimum Gain ” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(2), and the amount of Partnership Minimum Gain, as well as any net increase or decrease in

 

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Partnership Minimum Gain, for a Fiscal Year shall be determined in accordance with the rules of Regulations Section 1.704-2(d).

 

Partnership Record Date ” means the record date established by the General Partner either (i) for the distribution of Available Cash pursuant to Section 5.1 , which record date shall be the same as the record date established by the Parent for a distribution to its stockholders of some or all of its portion of such distribution, or (ii) if applicable, for determining the Partners entitled to vote on or Consent to any proposed action for which the Consent or approval of the Partners is sought pursuant to Section 14.2 .

 

Partnership Unit ” means a fractional, undivided share of the Partnership Interests of all Partners issued pursuant to Sections 4.1 and 4.2 , and includes Class A Units, Class B Units, LTIP Units and any other classes or series of Partnership Units established after the date hereof.  The number of Partnership Units outstanding and the Percentage Interests in the Partnership represented by such Partnership Units are set forth in the Partner Registry.

 

Percentage Interest ” means, as to a Partner holding a class of Partnership Interests, its interest in such class, determined by dividing the Partnership Units of such class owned by such Partner by the total number of Partnership Units of such class then outstanding.  For purposes of determining the Percentage Interest of the Class A Units at any time when there are Class B Units outstanding, all Class B Units shall be treated as Class A Units.

 

Person ” means a natural person, partnership (whether general or limited), trust, estate, association, corporation, limited liability company, unincorporated organization, custodian, nominee or any other individual or entity in its own or any representative capacity.

 

Publicly Traded ” means listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the NYSE MKT LLC, the NASDAQ Stock Market or any successor to any of the foregoing.

 

Qualified Assets ” means any of the following assets: (i) interests, rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities of the Partnership; (ii) Debt issued by the Partnership or any Subsidiary thereof in connection with the incurrence of Funding Debt; (iii) equity interests in Qualified REIT Subsidiaries and limited liability companies (or other entities disregarded from their sole owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including wholly owned grantor trusts) whose assets consist solely of Qualified Assets; (iv) up to a one percent (1%) equity interest in any partnership or limited liability company at least ninety-nine percent (99%) of the equity of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Partnership; (v) cash held for payment of administrative expenses or pending distribution to security holders of the Parent or any wholly owned Subsidiary thereof or pending contribution to the Partnership; and (vi) other tangible and intangible assets that, taken as a whole, are de minimis in relation to the net assets of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries.

 

Qualified REIT Subsidiaries ” means any Subsidiary of the Parent that is a “qualified REIT subsidiary” within the meaning of Section 856(i) of the Code.

 

Recapture Income ” means any gain recognized by the Partnership (computed without regard to any adjustment pursuant to Section 754 of the Code) upon the disposition of any

 

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property or asset of the Partnership, which gain is characterized either as ordinary income or as “unrecaptured Section 1250 gain” (as defined in Section 1(h)(6) of the Code) because it represents the recapture of depreciation deductions previously taken with respect to such property or asset.

 

Recourse Liabilities ” means the amount of liabilities owed by the Partnership (other than Nonrecourse Liabilities and liabilities to which Partner Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Section 1.704-(2)(i) of the Regulations).

 

Redeeming Partner ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.6.A .

 

Redemption Amount ” means either the Cash Amount or the Shares Amount, as determined by the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion. A Redeeming Partner shall have no right, without the General Partner’s consent, in its sole and absolute discretion, to receive the Redemption Amount in the form of the Shares Amount.

 

Redemption Right ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.6.A .

 

Regulations ” means the Treasury Regulations promulgated under the Code, as such regulations may be amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).

 

REIT ” means an entity that qualifies as a real estate investment trust under the Code.

 

REIT Requirements ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.A .

 

Residual Gain ” or “ Residual Loss ” means any item of gain or loss, as the case may be, of the Partnership recognized for U.S. federal income tax purposes resulting from a sale, exchange or other disposition of Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, to the extent such item of gain or loss is not allocated pursuant to Section 2.B.1(a)  or 2.B.2(a)  of Exhibit C to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities.

 

Safe Harbor ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.6.F .

 

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Section 704(c) Value ” of any Contributed Property or Adjusted Property means the fair market value of such property at the time of contribution or adjustment, as the case may be, as determined by the General Partner using such reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt; provided, however, subject to Exhibit B , the General Partner shall, in its sole and absolute discretion, use such method as it deems reasonable and appropriate to allocate the aggregate of the Section 704(c) Value of Contributed Properties or Adjusted Properties in a single or integrated transaction among each separate property on a basis proportional to its fair market values.

 

Share ” means a share of common stock (or other comparable equity interest) of the Parent (or the Successor Entity, as the case may be).  Shares may be issued in one or more classes or series in accordance with the terms of the Charter.  Shares issued in lieu of the Cash

 

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Amount by the Partnership or the Parent may be either registered or unregistered Shares at the option of the Parent.  If there is more than one class or series of Shares, the term “Shares” shall, as the context requires, be deemed to refer to the class or series of Shares that corresponds to the class or series of Partnership Interests for which the reference to Shares is made.  When used with reference to Class A Units, the term “Shares” refers to shares of common stock (or other comparable equity interest) of the Parent.

 

Shares Amount ” means a number of Shares equal to the product of the number of Partnership Units offered for redemption by a Redeeming Partner times the Conversion Factor; provided, however, that, if the Parent issues to holders of Shares securities, rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities entitling such holders to subscribe for or purchase Shares or any other securities or property (collectively, the “rights”), then the Shares Amount shall also include such rights that a holder of that number of Shares would be entitled to receive unless the Partnership issues corresponding rights to holders of Partnership Units.

 

Specified Redemption Date ” means the tenth Business Day after the Valuation Date or such shorter period as the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, may determine; provided, however, that, if the Shares are not Publicly Traded, the Specified Redemption Date means the thirtieth Business Day after receipt by the General Partner of a Notice of Redemption.

 

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, trust, partnership or joint venture, or other entity of which a majority of (i) the voting power of the voting equity securities or (ii) the outstanding equity interests is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person.

 

Substituted Limited Partner ” means a Person who is admitted as a Limited Partner to the Partnership pursuant to Section 11.4 and who is shown as a Limited Partner in the Partner Registry.

 

Successor Entity ” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Conversion Factor” herein.

 

Termination Transaction ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.2.B .

 

Unrealized Gain ” attributable to any item of Partnership property means, as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (i) the fair market value of such property (as determined under Exhibit B ) as of such date, over (ii) the Carrying Value of such property (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Exhibit B ) as of such date.

 

Unrealized Loss ” attributable to any item of Partnership property means, as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (i) the Carrying Value of such property (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Exhibit B ) as of such date, over (ii) the fair market value of such property (as determined under Exhibit B ) as of such date.

 

Unvested LTIP Units ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6.C .

 

Valuation Date ” means the date of receipt by the General Partner of a Notice of Redemption or, if such date is not a Business Day, the first Business Day thereafter.

 

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Value ” means, with respect to one Share of a class of outstanding Shares of the Parent that are Publicly Traded, the average of the daily market price for the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding the date with respect to which value must be determined.  The market price for each such trading day shall be the closing price, regular way, on such day, or if no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day.  If the outstanding Shares of the Parent are Publicly Traded and the Shares Amount includes, in addition to the Shares, rights or interests that a holder of Shares has received or would be entitled to receive, then the Value of such rights shall be determined by the Parent acting in good faith on the basis of such quotations and other information as it considers, in its reasonable judgment, appropriate.  If the Shares of the Parent are not Publicly Traded, the Value of the Shares Amount per Partnership Unit tendered for redemption (which will be the Cash Amount per Partnership Unit offered for redemption payable pursuant to Section 8.6.A ) means the amount that a holder of one Partnership Unit would receive if each of the assets of the Partnership were to be sold for its fair market value on the Specified Redemption Date, the Partnership were to pay all of its outstanding liabilities, and the remaining proceeds were to be distributed to the Partners in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.  Such Value shall be determined by the General Partner, acting in good faith and based upon a commercially reasonable estimate of the amount that would be realized by the Partnership if each asset of the Partnership (and each asset of each partnership, limited liability company, trust, joint venture or other entity in which the Partnership owns a direct or indirect interest) were sold to an unrelated purchaser in an arm’s-length transaction where neither the purchaser nor the seller were under economic compulsion to enter into the transaction (without regard to any discount in value as a result of the Partnership’s minority interest in any property or any illiquidity of the Partnership’s interest in any property).

 

Vested LTIP Units ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6.C .

 

Vesting Agreement ” means each or any, as the context implies, agreement or instrument entered into by a holder of LTIP Units upon acceptance of an award of LTIP Units under an Equity Incentive Plan.

 

ARTICLE II

 

ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

 

Section 2.1                                    Organization

 

A.                                     Organization, Status and Rights .  The Partnership is a limited partnership organized pursuant to the provisions of the Act and upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Original Agreement.  The Partners hereby confirm and agree to their status as partners of the Partnership and to continue the business of the Partnership on the terms set forth in this Agreement.  Upon the Effective Date, the Organizational Limited Partner shall withdraw from the Partnership and relinquish any and all rights or interest he may have in the Partnership, and the Partnership shall continue without dissolution.  Except as expressly provided herein, the rights and obligations of the Partners and the administration and termination of the Partnership shall be governed by the Act.  The Partnership Interest of each Partner shall be personal property for all purposes.

 

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B.                                     Qualification of Partnership .  The Partners (i) agree that if the laws of any jurisdiction in which the Partnership transacts business so require, the appropriate officers or other authorized representatives of the Partnership shall file, or shall cause to be filed, with the appropriate office in that jurisdiction, any documents necessary for the Partnership to qualify to transact business under such laws; and (ii) agree and obligate themselves to execute, acknowledge and cause to be filed for record, in the place or places and manner prescribed by law, any amendments to the Certificate of Limited Partnership as may be required, either by the Act, by the laws of any jurisdiction in which the Partnership transacts business, or by this Agreement, to reflect changes in the information contained therein or otherwise to comply with the requirements of law for the continuation, preservation and operation of the Partnership as a limited partnership under the Act.

 

C.                                     Representations .  Each Partner represents and warrants that such Partner is duly authorized to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and that the Person, if any, executing this Agreement on behalf of such Partner is duly authorized to do so and that this Agreement is binding on and enforceable against such Partner in accordance with its terms.

 

Section 2.2                                    Name

 

The name of the Partnership is Farmland Partners Operating Partnership, LP.  The Partnership’s business may be conducted under any other name or names deemed advisable by the General Partner, including the name of any of the General Partner or any Affiliate thereof.  The words “Limited Partnership,” “LP,” “Ltd.” or similar words or letters shall be included in the Partnership’s name where necessary for the purposes of complying with the laws of any jurisdiction that so requires.  The General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion may change the name of the Partnership at any time and from time to time and shall notify the Limited Partners of such change in the next regular communication to the Limited Partners.

 

Section 2.3                                    Registered Office and Agent; Principal Office

 

The address of the registered office of the Partnership in the State of Delaware is located at 615 South Dupont Highway, City of Dover, County of Kent, Delaware 19901 and the registered agent for service of process on the Partnership in the State of Delaware at such registered office is National Corporate Research, Ltd.  The principal office of the Partnership is 8670 Wolff Court, Suite 240, Westminster, CO 80031, or shall be such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners.  The Partnership may maintain offices at such other place or places within or outside the State of Delaware as the General Partner deems advisable.

 

Section 2.4                                    Term

 

The term of the Partnership commenced on September 27, 2013, and shall continue until dissolved pursuant to the provisions of Article XIII or as otherwise provided by law.

 

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Section 2.5                                    Partnership Interests as Securities

 

All Partnership Interests shall be securities within the meaning of, and governed by, (i) Article 8 of the Delaware Uniform Commercial Code and (ii) Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code of any other applicable jurisdiction.

 

Section 2.6                                    Certificates Describing Partnership Units

 

The General Partner shall have the authority to issue certificates evidencing the Limited Partnership Interests in accordance with Section 17-702(b) of the Act. Any such certificate (i) shall be in form and substance as approved by the General Partner, (ii) shall not be negotiable and (iii) shall bear a legend to the following effect:

 

THIS CERTIFICATE IS NOT NEGOTIABLE. THE PARTNERSHIP UNITS REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE GOVERNED BY AND TRANSFERABLE ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH (A) THE PROVISIONS OF THE SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF FARMLAND PARTNERS OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, LP, AS AMENDED, SUPPLEMENTED OR RESTATED FROM TIME TO TIME AND (B) ANY APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR STATE SECURITIES OR BLUE SKY LAWS.

 

ARTICLE III

 

PURPOSE

 

Section 3.1                                    Purpose and Business

 

The purpose and nature of the business to be conducted by the Partnership is (i) to conduct any business that may be lawfully conducted by a limited partnership organized pursuant to the Act; (ii) to enter into any corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, limited liability company or other similar arrangement to engage in any of the foregoing or the ownership of interests in any entity engaged, directly or indirectly, in any of the foregoing; and (iii) to do anything necessary or incidental to the foregoing; provided, however, that any business shall be limited to and conducted in such a manner as to permit the Parent at all times to be classified as a REIT, unless the Parent, in its sole and absolute discretion has chosen to cease to qualify as a REIT or has chosen not to attempt to qualify as a REIT for any reason or reasons whether or not related to the business conducted by the Partnership.  In connection with the foregoing, and without limiting the Parent’s right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to cease qualifying as a REIT, the Partners acknowledge that the status of the Parent as a REIT inures to the benefit of all the Partners and not solely to the General Partner, the Parent or their Affiliates.

 

Section 3.2                                    Powers

 

The Partnership is empowered to do any and all acts and things necessary, appropriate, proper, advisable, incidental to or convenient for the furtherance and accomplishment of the purposes and business described herein and for the protection and benefit of the Partnership, including, without limitation, full power and authority, directly or through its ownership interest

 

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in other entities, to enter into, perform and carry out contracts of any kind, borrow money and issue evidences of indebtedness, whether or not secured by mortgage, deed of trust, pledge or other lien, acquire, own, manage, improve and develop real property, and lease, sell, transfer and dispose of real property; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not take, or shall refrain from taking, any action which, in the judgment of the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, (i) could adversely affect the ability of the Parent to qualify or continue to qualify as a REIT (unless the Parent has decided to terminate or revoke its election to be taxed as a REIT), (ii) could subject the Parent to any taxes under Sections 857 or 4981 of the Code, or (iii) could violate any law or regulation of any governmental body or agency having jurisdiction over the General Partner, the Parent or their securities, unless such action (or inaction) shall have been specifically consented to by the General Partner in writing.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCES OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

 

Section 4.1                                    Capital Contributions of the Partners

 

A.                                     Capital Contributions .  Prior to or concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, the Partners have made the Capital Contributions as set forth in the Partner Registry.  On the date hereof, the Partners own Partnership Units in the amounts set forth in the Partner Registry and have Percentage Interests in the Partnership as set forth in the Partner Registry.  On the Effective Date, certain Partners will make Capital Contributions to the Partnership, and the General Partner will update the Partner Registry to reflect the Capital Contributions made by each Partner, the Partnership Units assigned to each Partner and the Percentage Interest in the Partnership represented by such Partnership Units.  The number of Partnership Units and Percentage Interest shall be adjusted in the Partner Registry from time to time by the General Partner to the extent necessary to reflect accurately exchanges, redemptions, Capital Contributions, the issuance of additional Partnership Units or similar events having an effect on a Partner’s Percentage Interest occurring after the Effective Date and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

B.                                     General Partnership Interest .  Except for any Partnership Units designated as Limited Partner Interests by the General Partner, the Partnership Units held by the General Partner shall be the General Partner Interest of the General Partner.

 

C.                                     Except as provided in Sections 7.5 , 10.5 , and 13.3 , the Partners shall have no obligation to make any additional Capital Contributions or provide any additional funding to the Partnership (whether in the form of loans, repayments of loans or otherwise).  Except as otherwise set forth in Section 13.3 , no Partner shall have any obligation to restore any deficit that may exist in its Capital Account, either upon a liquidation of the Partnership or otherwise.

 

Section 4.2                                    Issuances of Partnership Interests

 

A.                                     General .  The General Partner is hereby authorized to cause the Partnership from time to time to issue to Partners (including the General Partner, the Parent and their Affiliates) or other Persons (including, without limitation, in connection with the contribution of property to

 

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the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries) Partnership Units or other Partnership Interests in one or more classes, or in one or more series of any of such classes, with such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, powers and duties, including rights, powers and duties senior to one or more other classes of Partnership Interests, all as shall be determined, subject to applicable Delaware law, by the General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion, including, without limitation, (i) the allocations of items of Partnership income, gain, loss, deduction and credit to each such class or series of Partnership Interests, (ii) the right of each such class or series of Partnership Interests to share in Partnership distributions, (iii) the rights of each such class or series of Partnership Interests upon dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership, (iv) the rights, if any, of each such class to vote on matters that require the vote or Consent of the Limited Partners, and (v) the consideration, if any, to be received by the Partnership; provided, however, that no such Partnership Units or other Partnership Interests shall be issued to the General Partner or the Parent unless (a) the Partnership Interests are issued in connection with the grant, award or issuance of Shares or other equity interests in the Parent (including a transaction described in Section 7.4.F ) having designations, preferences and other rights such that the economic interests attributable to such Shares or other equity interests are substantially similar to the designations, preferences and other rights (except voting rights) of the Partnership Interests issued to the General Partner or the Parent in accordance with this Section 4.2.A , and the General Partner or the Parent contributes to the Partnership the proceeds (if any) from the issuance of Shares or equity received by the General Partner or the Parent as required pursuant to Section 7.5.D , (b) the General Partner or the Parent makes an additional Capital Contribution to the Partnership, or (c) the additional Partnership Interests are issued to all Partners holding Partnership Interests in the same class in proportion to their respective Percentage Interests in such class.  If the Partnership issues Partnership Interests pursuant to this Section 4.2.A , the General Partner shall make such revisions to this Agreement (including but not limited to the revisions described in Section 5.4 , Section 6.2 and Section 8.6 ) as it deems necessary to reflect the issuance of such Partnership Interests.  The designation of any newly issued class or series of Partnership Interests may provide a formula for treating such Partnership Interests solely for purposes of voting on or consenting to any matter that requires the vote or Consent of the Limited Partners as set forth in one or more of Sections 7.1 , 7.5.A , 7.11 , 13.1(i) , 13.1(vi) , 14.1.A , 14.1.C , 14.2.A , and 14.2.B of this Agreement as the equivalent of a specified number (including any fraction thereof) of Class A Units.  Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit the General Partner from issuing Partnership Units for less than fair market value if the General Partner concludes in good faith that such issuance is in the best interests of the Partnership.

 

B.                                     Classes of Partnership Units .  On the Effective Date, the Partnership shall have three authorized classes of Partnership Units, entitled “Class A Units,” “Class B Units” and “LTIP Units,” and, thereafter, such additional classes of Partnership Units as may be created by the General Partner pursuant to Section 4.2.A and this Section 4.2.B .  Class A Units, Class B Units or a class of Partnership Interests created pursuant to Section 4.2.A or this Section 4.2.B , at the election of the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, may be issued to newly admitted Partners in exchange for the contribution by such Partners of cash, real estate partnership interests, stock, notes or other assets or consideration; provided, however, that any Partnership Unit that is not specifically designated by the General Partner as being of a particular class shall be deemed to be a Class A Unit.  Each Class B Unit shall be converted automatically into a Class A Unit on the day immediately following the Partnership Record Date for the

 

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Distribution Period in which such Class B Unit was issued, without the requirement for any action by the General Partner, the Partnership or the Partner holding the Class B Unit.  The issuance and terms of any LTIP Units shall be in accordance with Section 4.6 .

 

Section 4.3                                    No Preemptive Rights

 

Except to the extent expressly granted by the Partnership pursuant to another agreement, no Person shall have any preemptive, preferential or other similar right with respect to (i) additional Capital Contributions or loans to the Partnership or (ii) issuance or sale of any Partnership Units or other Partnership Interests.

 

Section 4.4                                    Other Contribution Provisions

 

A.                                     General .  If any Partner is admitted to the Partnership and is given a Capital Account in exchange for services rendered to the Partnership, such transaction shall be treated by the Partnership and the affected Partner (and set forth in the Partner Registry) as if the Partnership had compensated such Partner in cash, and the Partner had made a Capital Contribution of such cash to the capital of the Partnership.

 

B.                                     Mergers .  To the extent the Partnership acquires any property (or an indirect interest therein) by the merger of any other Person into the Partnership or with or into a Subsidiary of the Partnership, Persons who receive Partnership Interests in exchange for their interest in the Person merging into the Partnership or with or into a Subsidiary of the Partnership shall be deemed to have been admitted as Additional Limited Partners pursuant to Section 12.2 and shall be deemed to have made Capital Contributions as provided in the applicable merger agreement (or if not so provided, as determined by the General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion) and as set forth in the Partner Registry.

 

Section 4.5                                    No Interest on Capital

 

No Partner shall be entitled to interest on its Capital Contributions or its Capital Account.

 

Section 4.6                                    LTIP Units

 

A.                                     Issuance of LTIP Units .  The General Partner may from time to time, for such consideration as the General Partner may determine to be appropriate, issue LTIP Units to Persons who provide services to the Partnership or the Parent and admit such Persons as Limited Partners.  Subject to the following provisions of this Section 4.6 and the special provisions of Sections 4.7 and 6.1.E , LTIP Units shall be treated as Class A Units, with all of the rights, privileges and obligations attendant thereto (or, if so designated by the General Partner in connection with the issuance thereof, as Class B Units for the quarter in which such LTIP Units are issued).  For purposes of computing the Partners’ Percentage Interests, holders of LTIP Units shall be treated as Class A Unit holders and LTIP Units shall be treated as Class A Units.  In particular, the Partnership shall maintain at all times a one-to-one correspondence between LTIP Units and Class A Units for conversion, distribution and other purposes, including, without limitation, complying with the following procedures:

 

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(i)                                      If an Adjustment Event (as defined below) occurs, then the General Partner shall make a corresponding adjustment to the LTIP Units to maintain a one-for-one conversion and economic equivalence ratio between Class A Units and LTIP Units.  The following shall be “Adjustment Events”: (A) the Partnership makes a distribution on all outstanding Class A Units in Partnership Units, (B) the Partnership subdivides the outstanding Class A Units into a greater number of units or combines the outstanding Class A Units into a smaller number of units, or (C) the Partnership issues any Partnership Units in exchange for its outstanding Class A Units by way of a reclassification or recapitalization of its Class A Units.  If more than one Adjustment Event occurs, the adjustment to the LTIP Units need be made only once using a single formula that takes into account each and every Adjustment Event as if all Adjustment Events occurred simultaneously.  For the avoidance of doubt, the following shall not be Adjustment Events: (x) the issuance of Partnership Units in a financing, reorganization, acquisition or other similar business Class A Unit Transaction, (y) the issuance of Partnership Units pursuant to any employee benefit or compensation plan or distribution reinvestment plan or (z) the issuance of any Partnership Units to the General Partner or the Parent in respect of a capital contribution to the Partnership.  If the Partnership takes an action affecting the Class A Units other than actions specifically described above as “Adjustment Events” and in the opinion of the General Partner such action would require an adjustment to the LTIP Units to maintain the one-to-one correspondence described above, the General Partner shall have the right to make such adjustment to the LTIP Units, to the extent permitted by law and by any Equity Incentive Plan, in such manner and at such time as the General Partner, in its sole discretion, may determine to be appropriate under the circumstances.  If an adjustment is made to the LTIP Units, as herein provided, the Partnership shall promptly file in the books and records of the Partnership an officer’s certificate setting forth such adjustment and a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment, which certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the correctness of such adjustment absent manifest error.  Promptly after filing of such certificate, the Partnership shall mail a notice to each LTIP Unitholder setting forth the adjustment to his or her LTIP Units and the effective date of such adjustment; and

 

(ii)                                   The LTIP Unitholders shall, when, as and if authorized and declared by the General Partner out of assets legally available for that purpose, be entitled to receive distributions in an amount per LTIP Unit equal to the distributions per Class A Unit (the “ Class A Unit Distribution ”), paid to holders of Class A Units on such Partnership Record Date established by the General Partner with respect to such distribution.  So long as any LTIP Units are outstanding, no distributions (whether in cash or in kind) shall be authorized, declared or paid on Class A Units or Class B Units, unless equal distributions have been or contemporaneously are authorized, declared and paid on the LTIP Units.

 

B.                                     Priority .  Subject to the provisions of this Section 4.6 and the special provisions of Sections 4.7 and 5.1.E , the LTIP Units shall rank pari passu with the Class A Units and Class B Units as to the payment of regular and special periodic or other distributions and distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up.  As to the payment of distributions and as to distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, any class or series of Partnership Units which by its terms specifies that it shall rank junior to, on a parity with, or senior to the Class A Units shall also rank junior to, or pari passu with, or senior to, as the case may be, the LTIP Units.  Subject to the terms of any Vesting Agreement, an LTIP Unitholder shall be entitled to transfer his or her LTIP Units to the same extent, and subject to the same

 

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restrictions as holders of Class A Units are entitled to transfer their Class A Units pursuant to Article XI .

 

C.                                     Special Provisions .  LTIP Units shall be subject to the following special provisions:

 

(i)                                      Vesting Agreements .  LTIP Units may, in the sole discretion of the General Partner, be issued subject to vesting, forfeiture and additional restrictions on transfer pursuant to the terms of a Vesting Agreement.  The terms of any Vesting Agreement may be modified by the General Partner from time to time in its sole discretion, subject to any restrictions on amendment imposed by the relevant Vesting Agreement or by the Equity Incentive Plan, if applicable.  LTIP Units that have vested under the terms of a Vesting Agreement are referred to as “ Vested LTIP Units ;” all other LTIP Units shall be treated as “ Unvested LTIP Units .”

 

(ii)                                   Forfeiture .  Unless otherwise specified in the Vesting Agreement, upon the occurrence of any event specified in a Vesting Agreement as resulting in either the right of the Partnership or the General Partner to repurchase LTIP Units at a specified purchase price or some other forfeiture of any LTIP Units, then if the Partnership or the General Partner exercises such right to repurchase or forfeiture in accordance with the applicable Vesting Agreement, the relevant LTIP Units shall immediately, and without any further action, be treated as cancelled and no longer outstanding for any purpose.  Unless otherwise specified in the Vesting Agreement, no consideration or other payment shall be due with respect to any LTIP Units that have been forfeited, other than any distributions declared with respect to a Partnership Record Date prior to the effective date of the forfeiture.  In connection with any repurchase or forfeiture of LTIP Units, the balance of the portion of the Capital Account of the LTIP Unitholder that is attributable to all of his or her LTIP Units shall be reduced by the amount, if any, by which it exceeds the target balance contemplated by Section 6.1.E , calculated with respect to the LTIP Unitholder’s remaining LTIP Units, if any.

 

(iii)                                Allocations .  LTIP Unitholders shall be entitled to certain special allocations of gain under Section 6.1.E .

 

(iv)                               Redemption .  The Redemption Right provided to the holders of Class A Units under Section 8.6 shall not apply with respect to LTIP Units unless and until they are converted to Class A Units as provided in clause (v) below and Section 4.7 .

 

(v)                                  Conversion to Class A Units .  Vested LTIP Units are eligible to be converted into Class A Units in accordance with Section 4.7 .

 

D.                                     Voting .  LTIP Unitholders shall (a) have the same voting rights as the Limited Partners, with the LTIP Units voting as a single class with the Class A Units and having one vote per LTIP Unit; and (b) have the additional voting rights that are expressly set forth below.  So long as any LTIP Units remain outstanding, the Partnership shall not, without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the LTIP Units 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, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, the provisions of this Agreement applicable to

 

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LTIP Units so as to materially and adversely affect any right, privilege or voting power of the LTIP Units or the LTIP Unitholders as such, unless such amendment, alteration, or repeal affects equally, ratably and proportionately the rights, privileges and voting powers of all of Class A Units (including the Class A Units held by the General Partner or the Parent); but subject, in any event, to the following provisions:

 

(i)                                      With respect to any Class A Unit Transaction (as defined in Section 4.7.F ), so long as the LTIP Units are treated in accordance with Section 4.7.F , the consummation of such Class A Unit Transaction shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the LTIP Units or the LTIP Unitholders as such; and

 

(ii)                                   Any creation or issuance of any Partnership Units or of any class or series of Partnership Interest in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, including, without limitation, additional Class A Units or LTIP Units, whether ranking senior to, junior to, or on a parity with the LTIP Units with respect to distributions and 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 of the LTIP Units or the LTIP Unitholders as such.

 

The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required will be effected, all outstanding LTIP Units shall have been converted into Class A Units.

 

Section 4.7                                    Conversion of LTIP Units .

 

A.                                     Conversion Right .  An LTIP Unitholder shall have the right (the “ Conversion Right ”), at his or her option, at any time to convert all or a portion of his or her Vested LTIP Units into Class A Units; provided, however, that a holder may not exercise the Conversion Right for less than one thousand (1,000) Vested LTIP Units or, if such holder holds less than one thousand Vested LTIP Units, all of the Vested LTIP Units held by such holder.  LTIP Unitholders shall not have the right to convert Unvested LTIP Units into Class A Units until they become Vested LTIP Units; provided, however, that when an LTIP Unitholder is notified of the expected occurrence of an event that will cause his or her Unvested LTIP Units to become Vested LTIP Units, such LTIP Unitholder may give the Partnership a Conversion Notice conditioned upon and effective as of the time of vesting and such Conversion Notice, unless subsequently revoked by the LTIP Unitholder, shall be accepted by the Partnership subject to such condition.  The General Partner shall have the right at any time to cause a conversion of Vested LTIP Units into Class A Units.  In all cases, the conversion of any LTIP Units into Class A Units shall be subject to the conditions and procedures set forth in this Section 4.7 .

 

B.                                     Exercise by an LTIP Unitholder .  A holder of Vested LTIP Units may convert such LTIP Units into an equal number of fully paid and non-assessable Class A Units, giving effect to all adjustments (if any) made pursuant to Section 4.6 .  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may a holder of Vested LTIP Units convert a number of Vested LTIP Units that exceeds (x) the Economic Capital Account Balance of such Limited Partner, to the extent attributable to its ownership of LTIP Units, divided by (y) the Class A Unit Economic Balance,

 

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in each case as determined as of the effective date of conversion (the “ Capital Account Limitation ”).  In order to exercise his or her Conversion Right, an LTIP Unitholder shall deliver a notice (a “ Conversion Notice ”) in the form attached as Exhibit F to this Agreement to the Partnership (with a copy to the General Partner) not less than ten nor more than 60 days prior to a date (the “ Conversion Date ”) specified in such Conversion Notice; provided, however, that if the General Partner has not given to the LTIP Unitholders notice of a proposed or upcoming Class A Unit Transaction (as defined in Section 4.7.F ) at least 30 days prior to the effective date of such Class A Unit Transaction, then LTIP Unitholders shall have the right to deliver a Conversion Notice until the earlier of (x) the tenth day after such notice from the General Partner of a Class A Unit Transaction or (y) the third business day immediately preceding the effective date of such Class A Unit Transaction.  A Conversion Notice shall be provided in the manner provided in Section 15.1 .  Each LTIP Unitholder covenants and agrees with the Partnership that all Vested LTIP Units to be converted pursuant to this Section 4.7.B shall be free and clear of all liens and encumbrances.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a holder of LTIP Units may deliver a Notice of Redemption pursuant to Section 8.6 relating to those Class A Units that will be issued to such holder upon conversion of such LTIP Units into Class A Units in advance of the Conversion Date; provided, however, that the redemption of such Class A Units by the Partnership shall in no event take place until after the Conversion Date.  For clarity, it is noted that the objective of this paragraph is to put an LTIP Unitholder in a position where, if he or she so wishes, the Class A Units into which his or her Vested LTIP Units will be converted can be redeemed by the Partnership simultaneously with such conversion, with the further consequence that, if the General Partner elects to cause the Parent to assume and perform the Partnership’s redemption obligation with respect to such Class A Units under Section 8.6 by delivering to such holder Shares rather than cash, then such holder can have such Shares issued to him or her simultaneously with the conversion of his or her Vested LTIP Units into Class A Units.  The General Partner and LTIP Unitholder shall reasonably cooperate with each other to coordinate the timing of the events described in the foregoing sentence.

 

C.                                     Forced Conversion .  The Partnership, at any time at the election of the General Partner, may cause any number of Vested LTIP Units held by an LTIP Unitholder to be converted (a “ Forced Conversion ”) into an equal number of Class A Units, giving effect to all adjustments (if any) made pursuant to Section 4.6 ; provided, however, that the Partnership may not cause Forced Conversion of any LTIP Units that would not at the time be eligible for conversion at the option of such LTIP Unitholder pursuant to Section 4.7.B .  In order to exercise its right of Forced Conversion, the Partnership shall deliver a notice (a “ Forced Conversion Notice ”) in the form attached as Exhibit G to this Agreement to the applicable LTIP Unitholder not less than ten nor more than 60 days prior to the Conversion Date specified in such Forced Conversion Notice.  A Forced Conversion Notice shall be provided in the manner provided in Section 15.1 .

 

D.                                     Completion of Conversion .  A conversion of Vested LTIP Units for which the holder thereof has given a Conversion Notice or the Partnership has given a Forced Conversion Notice shall occur automatically after the close of business on the applicable Conversion Date without any action on the part of such LTIP Unitholder, as of which time such LTIP Unitholder shall be credited on the books and records of the Partnership with the issuance as of the opening of business on the next day of the number of Class A Units issuable upon such conversion.  After the conversion of LTIP Units as aforesaid, the Partnership shall deliver to such LTIP Unitholder,

 

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upon his or her written request, a certificate of the General Partner certifying the number of Class A Units and remaining LTIP Units, if any, held by such person immediately after such conversion.  The Assignee of any Limited Partner pursuant to Article XI may exercise the rights of such Limited Partner pursuant to this Section 4.7 and such Limited Partner shall be bound by the exercise of such rights by the Assignee.

 

E.                                      Impact of Conversions for Purposes of Section 6.1.E .  For purposes of making future allocations under Section 6.1.E and applying the Capital Account Limitation, the portion of the Economic Capital Account Balance of the applicable LTIP Unitholder that is treated as attributable to his or her LTIP Units shall be reduced, as of the date of conversion, by the product of the number of LTIP Units converted and the Class A Unit Economic Balance.

 

F.                                       Class A Unit Transactions .  If the Partnership, the General Partner or the Parent shall be a party to any Class A Unit Transaction, as defined below (including without limitation a merger, consolidation, unit exchange, self tender offer for all or substantially all Class A Units or other business combination or reorganization, or sale of all or substantially all of the Partnership’s assets, but excluding any Class A Unit Transaction which constitutes an Adjustment Event) in each case as a result of which Class A Units shall be exchanged for or converted into the right, or the holders of such Class A Units shall otherwise be entitled, to receive cash, securities or other property or any combination thereof (each of the foregoing being referred to herein as a “ Class A Unit Transaction ”), then the General Partner shall, immediately prior to the Class A Unit Transaction, exercise its right to cause a Forced Conversion with respect to the maximum number of LTIP Units then eligible for conversion, taking into account any allocations that occur in connection with the Class A Unit Transaction or that would occur in connection with the Class A Unit Transaction if the assets of the Partnership were sold at the Class A Unit Transaction price or, if applicable, at a value determined by the General Partner in good faith using the value attributed to the Partnership Units in the context of the Class A Unit Transaction (in which case the Conversion Date shall be the effective date of the Class A Unit Transaction).  In anticipation of such Forced Conversion and the consummation of the Class A Unit Transaction, the Partnership shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause each LTIP Unitholder to be afforded the right to receive in connection with such Class A Unit Transaction in consideration for the Class A Units into which his or her LTIP Units will be converted the same kind and amount of cash, securities and other property (or any combination thereof) receivable upon the consummation of such Class A Unit Transaction by a holder of the same number of Class A Units, assuming such holder of Class A Units is not a Person with which the Partnership consolidated or into which the Partnership merged or which merged into the Partnership or to which such sale or transfer was made, as the case may be (a “ Constituent Person ”), or an affiliate of a Constituent Person.  In the event that holders of Class A Units have the opportunity to elect the form or type of consideration to be received upon consummation of the Class A Unit Transaction, prior to such Class A Unit Transaction the General Partner shall give prompt written notice to each LTIP Unitholder of such election, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to afford the LTIP Unitholders the right to elect, by written notice to the General Partner, the form or type of consideration to be received upon conversion of each LTIP Unit held by such holder into Class A Units in connection with such Class A Unit Transaction.  If an LTIP Unitholder fails to make such an election, such holder (and any of its transferees) shall receive upon conversion of each LTIP Unit held him or her (or by any of his or her transferees) the same kind and amount of consideration that a holder of a Class A Unit would

 

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receive if such Class A Unit holder failed to make such an election.  Subject to the rights of the Partnership and the General Partner under any Vesting Agreement and any Equity Incentive Plan, the Partnership shall use commercially reasonable effort to cause the terms of any Class A Unit Transaction to be consistent with the provisions of this Section 4.7.F and to enter into an agreement with the successor or purchasing entity, as the case may be, for the benefit of any LTIP Unitholders whose LTIP Units will not be converted into Class A Units in connection with the Class A Unit Transaction that will (i) contain provisions enabling the holders of LTIP Units that remain outstanding after such Class A Unit Transaction to convert their LTIP Units into securities as comparable as reasonably possible under the circumstances to the Class A Units and (ii) preserve as far as reasonably possible under the circumstances the distribution, special allocation, conversion, and other rights set forth in this Agreement for the benefit of the LTIP Unitholders.

 

ARTICLE V

 

DISTRIBUTIONS

 

Section 5.1                                    Requirement and Characterization of Distributions

 

A.                                     General .  The General Partner may cause the Partnership to distribute at least quarterly all, or such portion as the General Partner may in its sole and absolute discretion determine, of the Available Cash of the Partnership with respect to such quarter or shorter period to the Partners in accordance with the terms established for the class or classes of Partnership Interests held by such Partners who are Partners on the respective Partnership Record Date with respect to such quarter or shorter period as provided in Sections 5.1.B , 5.1.C and 5.1.D and in accordance with the respective terms established for each class of Partnership Interest.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in no event may a Partner receive a distribution of Available Cash with respect to a Partnership Unit for a quarter or shorter period if such Partner is entitled to receive a distribution with respect to a Share for which such Partnership Unit has been redeemed or exchanged.  Unless otherwise expressly provided for herein, or in the terms established for a new class or series of Partnership Interests created in accordance with Article IV hereof, no Partnership Interest shall be entitled to a distribution in preference to any other Partnership Interest.  The General Partner shall make such reasonable efforts, as determined by it in its sole and absolute discretion and consistent with the qualification of the Parent as a REIT, to distribute Available Cash (a) to Limited Partners so as to preclude any such distribution or portion thereof from being treated as part of a sale of property to the Partnership by a Limited Partner under Section 707 of the Code or the Regulations thereunder; provided, however, that none of the General Partner, the Parent, and the Partnership shall have liability to a Limited Partner under any circumstances as a result of any distribution to a Limited Partner being so treated, and (b) to the Parent in an amount sufficient to enable the Parent to make distributions to its stockholders that will enable the Parent to (1) satisfy the requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Code and the Regulations (the “ REIT Requirements ”), and (2) avoid any U.S. federal income or excise tax liability.

 

B.                                     Method .  (i) Each holder of Partnership Interests that is entitled to any preference in distribution shall be entitled to a distribution in accordance with the rights of any such class of

 

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Partnership Interests (and, within such class, pro rata in proportion to the respective Percentage Interests on such Partnership Record Date); and

 

(ii)                                   To the extent there is Available Cash remaining after the payment of any preference in distribution in accordance with the foregoing clause (i), with respect to Partnership Interests that are not entitled to any preference in distribution or with respect to which distributions are not limited to any preference in distribution, such Available Cash shall be distributed pro rata to each such class in accordance with the terms of such class (and, within each such class, pro rata in proportion to the respective Percentage Interests on such Partnership Record Date).

 

C.                                     Distributions When Class B Units Are Outstanding .  If for any quarter or shorter period with respect to which a distribution is to be made (a “ Distribution Period ”) Class B Units are outstanding on the Partnership Record Date for such Distribution Period, the General Partner shall allocate the Available Cash with respect to such Distribution Period available for distribution with respect to the Class A Units and Class B Units collectively between the Partners who are holders of Class A Units (“ Class A ”) and the Partners who are holders of Class B Units (“ Class B ”) as follows:

 

(1)                                  Class A shall receive that portion of the Available Cash (the “ Class A Share ”) determined by multiplying the amount of Available Cash by the following fraction:

 

            A x Y            

(A x Y) + (B x X)

 

(2)                                  Class B shall receive that portion of the Available Cash (the “ Class B Share ”) determined by multiplying the amount of Available Cash by the following fraction:

 

            B x X            

(A x Y) + (B x X)

 

(3)                                  For purposes of the foregoing formulas, (i) “A” equals the number of Class A Units outstanding on the Partnership Record Date for such Distribution Period; (ii) “B” equals the number of Class B Units outstanding on the Partnership Record Date for such Distribution Period; (iii) “Y” equals the number of days in the Distribution Period; and (iv) “X” equals the number of days in the Distribution Period for which the Class B Units were issued and outstanding.

 

The Class A Share shall be distributed pro rata among Partners holding Class A Units on the Partnership Record Date for the Distribution Period in accordance with the number of Class A Units held by each Partner on such Partnership Record Date; provided, however, that in no event may a Partner receive a distribution of Available Cash with respect to a Class A Unit if a Partner is entitled to receive a distribution with respect to a Share for which such Class A Unit has been redeemed or exchanged.  If Class B Units were issued on the same date, the Class B Share shall be distributed pro rata among the Partners holding Class B Units on the Partnership Record Date for the Distribution Period in accordance with the number of Class B Units held by each Partner on such Partnership Record Date.  In no event shall any Class B Units be entitled to

 

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receive any distribution of Available Cash for any Distribution Period ending prior to the date on which such Class B Units are issued.

 

D.                                     Distributions When Class B Units Have Been Issued on Different Dates .  If Class B Units which have been issued on different dates are outstanding on the Partnership Record Date for any Distribution Period, then the Class B Units issued on each particular date shall be treated as a separate series of Partnership Units for purposes of making the allocation of Available Cash for such Distribution Period among the holders of Partnership Units (and the formula for making such allocation, and the definitions of variables used therein, shall be modified accordingly).  Thus, for example, if two series of Class B Units are outstanding on the Partnership Record Date for any Distribution Period, the allocation formula for each series, “Series B1” and “Series B2” would be as follows:

 

(1)                                  Series B1 shall receive that portion of the Available Cash determined by multiplying the amount of Available Cash by the following fraction:

 

                       B1 x X1                       

(A x Y) + (B1 x X1) + (B2 x X2)

 

(2)                                  Series B2 shall receive that portion of the Available Cash determined by multiplying the amount of Available Cash by the following fraction:

 

                       B2 x X2                       

(A x Y) + (B1 x X1) + (B2 x X2)

 

(3)                                  For purposes of the foregoing formulas the definitions set forth in Section 5.1.C(3)  remain the same except that (i) “B1” equals the number of Partnership Units in Series B1 outstanding on the Partnership Record Date for such Distribution Period; (ii) “B2” equals the number of Partnership Units in Series B2 outstanding on the Partnership Record Date for such Distribution Period; (iii) “X1” equals the number of days in the Distribution Period for which the Partnership Units in Series B1 were issued and outstanding; and (iv) “X2” equals the number of days in the Distribution Period for which the Partnership Units in Series B2 were issued and outstanding.

 

E.                                      Distributions With Respect to LTIP Units .  In accordance with Section 4.6.A , LTIP Unitholders shall be entitled to receive distributions in an amount per LTIP Unit equal to the Class A Unit Distribution.

 

Section 5.2                                    Amounts Withheld

 

All amounts withheld pursuant to the Code or any provisions of any state or local tax law and Section 10.5 with respect to any allocation, payment or distribution to the General Partner, the Limited Partners or Assignees shall be treated as amounts distributed to the General Partner, Limited Partners or Assignees, as the case may be, pursuant to Section 5.1 for all purposes under this Agreement.

 

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Section 5.3                                    Distributions Upon Liquidation

 

Proceeds from a Liquidating Event shall be distributed to the Partners in accordance with Section 13.2 .

 

Section 5.4                                    Revisions to Reflect Issuance of Partnership Interests

 

If the Partnership issues Partnership Interests pursuant to Article IV , the General Partner shall make such revisions to this Article V and the Partner Registry in the books and records of the Partnership as it deems necessary to reflect the issuance of such additional Partnership Interests without the consent or approval of any other Partner.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

ALLOCATIONS

 

Section 6.1                                    Allocations for Capital Account Purposes

 

For purposes of maintaining the Capital Accounts and in determining the rights of the Partners among themselves, the Partnership’s items of income, gain, loss and deduction (computed in accordance with Exhibit B ) shall be allocated among the Partners in each taxable year (or portion thereof) as provided herein below.

 

A.                                     Net Income .  After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 1 of Exhibit C , Net Income shall be allocated:

 

(1)                                  first, to the General Partner until the cumulative Net Income allocated under this clause (1) equals the cumulative Net Losses allocated to the General Partner under Section 6.1.B(6) ;

 

(2)                                  second, to each DRO Partner until the cumulative Net Income allocated such DRO Partner under this clause (2) equals the cumulative Net Losses allocated such DRO Partner under Section 6.1.B(5)  (and among the DRO Partners, pro rata in proportion to their respective percentages of the cumulative Net Losses allocated to all DRO Partners pursuant to Section 6.1.B(5) );

 

(3)                                  third, to the General Partner until the cumulative Net Income allocated under this clause (3) equals the cumulative Net Losses allocated the General Partner under Section 6.1.B(4) ;

 

(4)                                  fourth, to the holders of any Partnership Interests that are entitled to any preference upon liquidation until the cumulative Net Income allocated under this clause (4) equals the cumulative Net Losses allocated to such Partners under Section 6.1.B(3) ;

 

(5)                                  fifth, to the holders of any Partnership Interests that are entitled to any preference in distribution in accordance with the rights of any such class of Partnership Interests until each such Partnership Interest has been allocated, on a cumulative basis pursuant to this clause (5), Net Income equal to the amount of distributions payable that are attributable to the

 

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preference of such class of Partnership Interests whether or not paid (and, within such class, pro rata in proportion to the respective Percentage Interests as of the last day of the period for which such allocation is being made); and

 

(6)                                  finally, with respect to Partnership Interests that are not entitled to any preference in distribution or with respect to which distributions are not limited to any preference in distribution, pro rata to each such class in accordance with the terms of such class (and, within such class, pro rata in proportion to the respective Percentage Interests as of the last day of the period for which such allocation is being made).

 

B.                                     Net Losses .  After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 1 of Exhibit C , Net Losses shall be allocated:

 

(1)                                  first, to the holders of Partnership Interests, in proportion to, and to the extent that, their share of the Net Income previously allocated pursuant to Section 6.1.A(6)  exceeds, on a cumulative basis, the sum of (a) distributions with respect to such Partnership Interests pursuant to clause (ii) of Section 5.1.B and (b) Net Losses allocated under this clause (1);

 

(2)                                  second, with respect to classes of Partnership Interests that are not entitled to any preference in distribution upon liquidation, pro rata to each such class in accordance with the terms of such class (and, within such class, pro rata in proportion to the respective Percentage Interests as of the last day of the period for which such allocation is being made); provided, however, that Net Losses shall not be allocated to any Partner pursuant to this Section 6.1.B(2)  to the extent that such allocation would cause such Partner to have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit (or increase any existing Adjusted Capital Account Deficit) (determined in each case (i) by not including in the Partners’ Adjusted Capital Accounts any amount that a Partner is obligated to contribute to the Partnership with respect to any deficit in its Capital Account pursuant to Section 13.3 and (ii) in the case of a Partner who also holds classes of Partnership Interests that are entitled to any preferences in distribution upon liquidation, by subtracting from such Partners’ Adjusted Capital Account the amount of such preferred distribution to be made upon liquidation) at the end of such taxable year (or portion thereof);

 

(3)                                  third, with respect to classes of Partnership Interests that are entitled to any preference in distribution upon liquidation, in reverse order of the priorities of each such class (and within each such class, pro rata in proportion to their respective Percentage Interests as of the last day of the period for which such allocation is being made); provided, however, that Net Losses shall not be allocated to any Partner pursuant to this Section 6.1.B(3)  to the extent that such allocation would cause such Partner to have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit (or increase any existing Adjusted Capital Account Deficit) (determined in each case by not including in the Partners’ Adjusted Capital Accounts any amount that a Partner is obligated to contribute to the Partnership with respect to any deficit in its Capital Account pursuant to Section 13.3 ) at the end of such taxable year (or portion thereof);

 

(4)                                  fourth, to the General Partner in an amount equal to the excess of (a) the amount of the Partnership’s Recourse Liabilities over (b) the Aggregate DRO Amount;

 

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(5)                                  fifth, to and among the DRO Partners, in proportion to their respective DRO Amounts, until such time as the DRO Partners as a group have been allocated cumulative Net Losses pursuant to this clause (5) equal to the Aggregate DRO Amount; and

 

(6)                                  thereafter, to the General Partner.

 

C.                                     Allocation of Nonrecourse Debt .  For purposes of Regulation Section 1.752-3(a), the Partners agree that Nonrecourse Liabilities of the Partnership in excess of the sum of (i) the amount of Partnership Minimum Gain and (ii) the total amount of Nonrecourse Built-in Gain shall be allocated by the General Partner by taking into account facts and circumstances relating to each Partner’s respective interest in the profits of the Partnership.  For this purpose, the General Partner shall have the sole and absolute discretion in any Fiscal Year to allocate such excess Nonrecourse Liabilities among the Partners in any manner permitted under Code Section 752 and the Regulations thereunder.

 

D.                                     Recapture Income .  Any gain allocated to the Partners upon the sale or other taxable disposition of any Partnership asset shall, to the extent possible after taking into account other required allocations of gain pursuant to Exhibit C , be characterized as Recapture Income in the same proportions and to the same extent as such Partners have been allocated any deductions directly or indirectly giving rise to the treatment of such gains as Recapture Income.

 

E.                                      Special Allocations Regarding LTIP Units .  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6.1.A , Liquidating Gains shall first be allocated to the LTIP Unitholders until their Economic Capital Account Balances, to the extent attributable to their ownership of LTIP Units, are equal to (i) the Class A Unit Economic Balance, multiplied by (ii) the number of their LTIP Units.  For this purpose, “ Liquidating Gains ” means net gains that are or would be realized in connection with the actual or hypothetical sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership, including but not limited to net capital gain realized in connection with an adjustment to the value of Partnership assets under Section 704(b) of the Code made pursuant to Section 1.D of Exhibit B of the Partnership Agreement.  The “ Economic Capital Account Balances ” of the LTIP Unitholders will be equal to their Capital Account balances to the extent attributable to their ownership of LTIP Units.  Similarly, the “ Class A Unit Economic Balance ” shall mean (i) the Capital Account balance of the Parent, plus the amount of the Parent’s share of any Partner Minimum Gain or Partnership Minimum Gain, in either case to the extent attributable to the Parent’s ownership of Class A Units and computed on a hypothetical basis after taking into account all allocations through the date on which any allocation is made under this Section 6.1.E , but prior to the realization of any Liquidating Gains, divided by (ii) the number of the Parent’s Class A Units.  Any such allocations shall be made among the LTIP Unitholders in proportion to the amounts required to be allocated to each under this Section 6.1.E .  The parties agree that the intent of this Section 6.1.E is to make the Capital Account balance associated with each LTIP Unit to be economically equivalent to the Capital Account balance associated with the Parent’s Class A Units (on a per-Unit basis), provided that Liquidating Gains are of a sufficient magnitude to do so upon a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership, or upon an adjustment to the Partners’ Capital Accounts pursuant to Section 1.D of Exhibit B .  To the extent the LTIP Unitholders receive a distribution in excess of their Capital Accounts, such distribution will be a guaranteed payment under Section 707(c) of the Code.

 

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F.                                       Special Allocations in Connection with a Liquidity Event .  The Partners intend that the allocation of Net Profits, Net Losses and other items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit required to be allocated to the Capital Accounts of the Partners pursuant to this Agreement will result in final Capital Account balances that will permit the amount each Partner is entitled to receive upon “liquidation” of the Partnership (within the meaning of Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g) of the Treasury Regulations) to equal the amount such Partner would have received if such amount was distributable solely pursuant to the priorities set forth in Article V and Section 13.2.A(1) - (4)  (and, for the avoidance of doubt, taking into account any applicable DRO Amounts).  Accordingly, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6.1.A , in the taxable year of the event precipitating a Liquidity Event and thereafter, appropriate adjustments to allocations of Net Profits and Net Losses to the Partners shall be made to achieve such result.

 

Section 6.2                                    Revisions to Allocations to Reflect Issuance of Partnership Interests or Certain DRO Obligations

 

A.                                     Issuances of Partnership Interests .  If the Partnership issues Partnership Interests pursuant to Article IV , the General Partner shall make such revisions to this Article VI and the Partner Registry in the books and records of the Partnership as it deems necessary to reflect the terms of the issuance of such Partnership Interests, including making preferential allocations to classes of Partnership Interests that are entitled thereto.  Such revisions shall not require the consent or approval of any other Partner.

 

B.                                     Certain DRO Obligations .  If a DRO Partner has agreed and is obligated to restore the deficit balance in such Partner’s Capital Account upon the occurrence of certain events, and such obligation is inconsistent with the allocation of Net Losses that otherwise would apply to such Partner as a DRO Partner pursuant to this Article VI (for example, because the DRO Partner has agreed to bear Net Losses in a manner pari passu with the General Partner), the General Partner shall make such revisions to this Article VI as it deems necessary to reflect the terms of such obligation, including with respect to the order of allocation of Net Losses with respect to such Partner.  Such revisions shall not require the consent or approval of any other Partner.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS OF BUSINESS

 

Section 7.1                                    Management

 

A.                                     Powers of General Partner .  Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all management powers over the business and affairs of the Partnership are and shall be exclusively vested in the General Partner, and no Limited Partner shall have any right to participate in or exercise control or management power over the business and affairs of the Partnership.  The General Partner may not be removed by the Limited Partners with or without cause.  In addition to the powers now or hereafter granted a general partner of a limited partnership under applicable law or which are granted to the General Partner under any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner, subject to Section 7.11 , shall have full power and authority to do all things deemed necessary or desirable by it to conduct the business of the

 

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Partnership, to exercise all powers set forth in Section 3.2 and to effectuate the purposes set forth in Section 3.1 , including, without limitation:

 

(1)                                  the making of any expenditures, the lending or borrowing of money (including, without limitation, making prepayments on loans and borrowing money to permit the Partnership to make distributions to its Partners in such amounts as are required under Section 5.1.A or will permit the Parent (so long as the Parent qualifies as a REIT) to avoid the payment of any U.S. federal income tax (including, for this purpose, any excise tax pursuant to Section 4981 of the Code) and to make distributions to its stockholders sufficient to permit the Parent to maintain its REIT status), the assumption or guarantee of, or other contracting for, indebtedness and other liabilities including, without limitation, the assumption or guarantee of the debt of the Parent, its Subsidiaries or the Partnership’s Subsidiaries, the issuance of evidences of indebtedness (including the securing of same by mortgage, deed of trust or other lien or encumbrance on the Partnership’s assets) and the incurring of any obligations the General Partner deems necessary for the conduct of the activities of the Partnership;

 

(2)                                  the making of tax, regulatory and other filings, or rendering of periodic or other reports to governmental or other agencies having jurisdiction over the business or assets of the Partnership;

 

(3)                                  the acquisition, disposition, mortgage, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or exchange of any or all of the assets of the Partnership (including acquisition of any new assets, the exercise or grant of any conversion, option, privilege or subscription right or other right available in connection with any assets at any time held by the Partnership) or the merger or other combination of the Partnership or any Subsidiary of the Partnership with or into another entity on such terms as the General Partner deems proper;

 

(4)                                  the use of the assets of the Partnership (including, without limitation, cash on hand) for any purpose consistent with the terms of this Agreement and on any terms it sees fit, including, without limitation, the financing of the conduct of the operations of the Parent, the General Partner, the Partnership or any of the Partnership’s Subsidiaries, the lending of funds to other Persons (including, without limitation, the Parent, the General Partner and their Subsidiaries and the Partnership’s Subsidiaries) and the repayment of obligations of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries and any other Person in which the Partnership has an equity investment and the making of capital contributions to its Subsidiaries;

 

(5)                                  the management, operation, leasing, landscaping, repair, alteration, demolition or improvement of any real property or improvements owned by the Partnership or any Subsidiary of the Partnership or any Person in which the Partnership has made a direct or indirect equity investment;

 

(6)                                  the negotiation, execution, and performance of any contracts, conveyances or other instruments that the General Partner considers useful or necessary to the conduct of the Partnership’s operations or the implementation of the General Partner’s powers under this Agreement, including contracting with contractors, developers, consultants, accountants, legal counsel, other professional advisors and other agents and the payment of their expenses and compensation out of the Partnership’s assets;

 

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(7)                                  the mortgage, pledge, encumbrance or hypothecation of any assets of the Partnership;

 

(8)                                  the distribution of Partnership cash or other Partnership assets in accordance with this Agreement;

 

(9)                                  the holding, managing, investing and reinvesting of cash and other assets of the Partnership;

 

(10)                           the collection and receipt of revenues and income of the Partnership;

 

(11)                           the selection, designation of powers, authority and duties and the dismissal of employees of the Partnership (including, without limitation, employees having titles such as “president,” “vice president,” “secretary” and “treasurer”) and agents, outside attorneys, accountants, consultants and contractors of the Partnership and the determination of their compensation and other terms of employment or hiring;

 

(12)                           the maintenance of such insurance for the benefit of the Partnership and the Partners (including, without limitation, the Parent and the General Partner) as it deems necessary or appropriate;

 

(13)                           the formation of, or acquisition of an interest (including non-voting interests in entities controlled by Affiliates of the Partnership or third parties) in, and the contribution of property to, any further limited or general partnerships, joint ventures, limited liability companies or other relationships that it deems desirable (including, without limitation, the acquisition of interests in, and the contributions of funds or property to, or making of loans to, its Subsidiaries and any other Person in which it has an equity investment from time to time, or the incurrence of indebtedness on behalf of such Persons or the guarantee of the obligations of such Persons); provided, however, that as long as the Parent has determined to qualify or continue to qualify as a REIT, the Partnership may not engage in any such formation, acquisition or contribution that would cause the Parent to fail to qualify as a REIT;

 

(14)                           the control of any matters affecting the rights and obligations of the Partnership, including the settlement, compromise, submission to arbitration or any other form of dispute resolution or abandonment of any claim, cause of action, liability, debt or damages due or owing to or from the Partnership, the commencement or defense of suits, legal proceedings, administrative proceedings, arbitrations or other forms of dispute resolution, the representation of the Partnership in all suits or legal proceedings, administrative proceedings, arbitrations or other forms of dispute resolution, the incurring of legal expense and the indemnification of any Person against liabilities and contingencies to the extent permitted by law;

 

(15)                           the determination of the fair market value of any Partnership property distributed in kind, using such reasonable method of valuation as the General Partner may adopt;

 

(16)                           the exercise, directly or indirectly, through any attorney-in-fact acting under a general or limited power of attorney, of any right, including the right to vote, appurtenant to any assets or investment held by the Partnership;

 

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(17)                           the exercise of any of the powers of the General Partner enumerated in this Agreement on behalf of or in connection with any Subsidiary of the Partnership or any other Person in which the Partnership has a direct or indirect interest, individually or jointly with any such Subsidiary or other Person;

 

(18)                           the exercise of any of the powers of the General Partner enumerated in this Agreement on behalf of any Person in which the Partnership does not have any interest pursuant to contractual or other arrangements with such Person;

 

(19)                           the making, executing and delivering of any and all deeds, leases, notes, deeds to secure debt, mortgages, deeds of trust, security agreements, conveyances, contracts, guarantees, warranties, indemnities, waivers, releases or other legal instruments or agreements in writing necessary or appropriate in the judgment of the General Partner for the accomplishment of any of the powers of the General Partner enumerated in this Agreement;

 

(20)                           the distribution of cash to acquire Partnership Units held by a Limited Partner in connection with a Limited Partner’s exercise of its Redemption Right under Section 8.6 ;

 

(21)                           the determination regarding whether a payment to a Partner who exercises its Redemption Right under Section 8.6 that is assumed by the Parent will be paid in the form of the Cash Amount or the Shares Amount, except as such determination may be limited by Section 8.6 .

 

(22)                           the acquisition of Partnership Interests in exchange for cash, debt instruments and other property;

 

(23)                           the maintenance of the Partner Registry in the books and records of the Partnership to reflect the Capital Contributions and Percentage Interests of the Partners as the same are adjusted from time to time to the extent necessary to reflect redemptions, Capital Contributions, the issuance of Partnership Units, the admission of any Additional Limited Partner or any Substituted Limited Partner or otherwise; and

 

(24)                           the registration of any class of securities of the Partnership under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, and the listing of any debt securities of the Partnership on any exchange.

 

B.                                     No Approval by Limited Partners .  Except as provided in Section 7.11 , each of the Limited Partners agrees that the General Partner is authorized to execute, deliver and perform the above-mentioned agreements and transactions on behalf of the Partnership without any further act, approval or vote of the Partners, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Act or any applicable law, rule or regulation, to the full extent permitted under the Act or other applicable law.  The execution, delivery or performance by the General Partner or the Partnership of any agreement authorized or permitted under this Agreement shall be in the sole and absolute discretion of the General Partner without consideration of any other obligation or duty, fiduciary or otherwise, of the Partnership or the Limited Partners and shall not constitute a breach by the General Partner of any duty that the General Partner may owe the Partnership or the Limited Partners or any other Persons under this Agreement or of any duty stated or implied

 

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by law or equity.  The Limited Partners acknowledge that the General Partner is acting for the benefit of the Partnership, the Limited Partners and the stockholders of the Parent.

 

C.                                     Insurance .  At all times from and after the date hereof, the General Partner may cause the Partnership to obtain and maintain (i) casualty, liability and other insurance on the properties of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries, (ii) liability insurance for the Indemnitees hereunder, and (iii) such other insurance as the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, determines to be necessary.

 

D.                                     Working Capital and Other Reserves .  At all times from and after the date hereof, the General Partner may cause the Partnership to establish and maintain working capital reserves in such amounts as the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, deems appropriate and reasonable from time to time, including upon liquidation of the Partnership under Article XIII .

 

Section 7.2                                    Certificate of Limited Partnership

 

To the extent that such action is determined by the General Partner to be reasonable and necessary or appropriate, the General Partner shall file amendments to and restatements of the Certificate of Limited Partnership and do all the things to maintain the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) under the laws of the State of Delaware and each other state, the District of Columbia or other jurisdiction in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property.  Subject to the terms of Section 8.5.A(4) , the General Partner shall not be required, before or after filing, to deliver or mail a copy of the Certificate of Limited Partnership or any amendment thereto to any Limited Partner.  The General Partner shall use all reasonable efforts to cause to be filed such other certificates or documents as may be reasonable and necessary or appropriate for the formation, continuation, qualification and operation of a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) in the State of Delaware and any other state, the District of Columbia or other jurisdiction in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property.

 

Section 7.3                                    Title to Partnership Assets

 

Title to Partnership assets, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, shall be deemed to be owned by the Partnership as an entity, and no Partners, individually or collectively, shall have any ownership interest in such Partnership assets or any portion thereof.  Title to any or all of the Partnership assets may be held in the name of the Partnership, the General Partner or one or more nominees, as the General Partner may determine, in its sole and absolute discretion, including Affiliates of the General Partner.  The General Partner hereby declares and warrants that any Partnership assets for which legal title is held in the name of the General Partner or any nominee or Affiliate of the General Partner shall be held by the General Partner for the use and benefit of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.  All Partnership assets shall be recorded as the property of the Partnership in its books and records, irrespective of the name in which legal title to such Partnership assets is held.

 

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Section 7.4                                    Reimbursement of the General Partner and the Parent

 

A.                                     No Compensation .  Except as provided in this Section 7.4 and elsewhere in this Agreement (including the provisions of Articles V and VI regarding distributions, payments and allocations to which it may be entitled), the General Partner shall not receive payments from the Partnership or otherwise be compensated for its services as the general partner of the Partnership.

 

B.                                     Responsibility for Partnership and General Partner and Parent Expenses .  The Partnership shall be responsible for and shall pay all expenses relating to the Partnership’s organization, the ownership of its assets and its operations.  The Partnership shall also be responsible for the administrative and operating costs and expenses incurred by the General Partner and the Parent, including, but not limited to, all expenses relating to the General Partner’s and the Parent’s (i) continued existence and subsidiary operations, (ii) offerings and registration of securities, (iii) preparation and filing of any periodic or other reports and communications required under federal, state or local laws and regulations, (iv) compliance with laws, rules and regulations promulgated by any regulatory body, and (v) operating or administrative costs incurred in the ordinary course of business on behalf of the Partnership; provided, however, that such costs and expenses shall not include any administrative or operating costs of the General Partner or the Parent attributable to assets owned by the General Partner or the Parent directly and not through the Partnership or its subsidiaries.  The General Partner and the Parent, at the General Partner’s sole and absolute discretion, shall be reimbursed on a monthly basis, or such other basis as the General Partner may determine in its sole and absolute discretion, for all expenses the Parent or the General Partner incurs relating to or resulting from the ownership and operation of, or for the benefit of, the Partnership (including, without limitation, expenses related to the operations of the General Partner and the Parent and to the management and administration of any Subsidiaries of the General Partner, the Parent or the Partnership or Affiliates of the Partnership, such as auditing expenses and filing fees); provided, however, that (i) the amount of any such reimbursement shall be reduced by (x) any interest earned by the General Partner or the Parent with respect to bank accounts or other instruments or accounts held by it on behalf of the Partnership as permitted in Section 7.5.A (which interest is considered to belong to the Partnership and shall be paid over to the Partnership to the extent not applied to reimburse the General Partner or the Parent for expenses hereunder); and (y) any amount derived by the General Partner from any investments permitted in Section 7.5.A ; (ii) the Partnership shall not be responsible for any taxes that the General Partner or the Parent would not have been required to pay if the Parent qualified as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes or any taxes imposed on the General Partner or the Parent by reason of the Parent’s failure to distribute to its stockholders an amount equal to its taxable income; (iii) the Partnership shall not be responsible for expenses or liabilities incurred by the General Partner in connection with any business or assets of the General Partner other than its ownership of Partnership Interests or operation of the business of the Partnership or ownership of interests in Qualified Assets to the extent permitted in Section 7.5.A ; and (iv) the Partnership shall not be responsible for any expenses or liabilities of the General Partner that are excluded from the scope of the indemnification provisions of Section 7.7.A by reason of the provisions of clause (i), (ii) or (iii) thereof.  The General Partner shall determine in good faith the amount of expenses incurred by it or the Parent related to the ownership of Partnership Interests or operation of, or for the benefit of, the Partnership.  If certain expenses are incurred that are related both to the ownership of Partnership Interests or operation of, or for the benefit of, the Partnership and to the ownership of

 

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other assets (other than Qualified Assets as permitted under Section 7.5.A ) or the operation of other businesses, such expenses will be allocated to the Partnership and such other entities (including the General Partner and the Parent) owning such other assets or businesses in such a manner as the General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion deems fair and reasonable.  Such reimbursements shall be in addition to any reimbursement to the General Partner and the Parent pursuant to Section 10.3.C and as a result of indemnification pursuant to Section 7.7 .  All payments and reimbursements hereunder shall be characterized for U.S. federal income tax purposes as expenses of the Partnership incurred on its behalf, and not as expenses of the General Partner or the Parent.

 

C.                                     Partnership Interest Issuance Expenses .  The General Partner and the Parent shall also be reimbursed for all expenses they incur relating to any issuance of Partnership Interests, Shares, Debt of the Partnership, Funding Debt of the General Partner or the Parent or rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities pursuant to Article IV (including, without limitation, all costs, expenses, damages and other payments resulting from or arising in connection with litigation related to any of the foregoing), all of which expenses are considered by the Partners to constitute expenses of, and for the benefit of, the Partnership.

 

D.                                     Purchases of Shares by the Parent .  If the Parent exercises its rights under the Charter to purchase Shares or otherwise elects or is required to purchase from its stockholders Shares in connection with a share repurchase or similar program or otherwise, or for the purpose of delivering such Shares to satisfy an obligation under any dividend reinvestment or equity purchase program adopted by the Parent, any employee equity purchase plan adopted by the Parent or any similar obligation or arrangement undertaken by the Parent in the future, the purchase price paid by the Parent for those Shares and any other expenses incurred by the Parent in connection with such purchase shall be considered expenses of the Partnership and shall be reimbursable to the Parent, subject to the conditions that: (i) if those Shares subsequently are to be sold by the Parent, the Parent shall pay to the Partnership any proceeds received by the Parent for those Shares (provided, however, that a transfer of Shares for Partnership Units pursuant to Section 8.6 would not be considered a sale for such purposes); and (ii) if such Shares are required to be cancelled pursuant to applicable law or are not retransferred by the Parent within thirty (30) days after the purchase thereof, the General Partner shall cause the Partnership to cancel a number of Partnership Units (rounded to the nearest whole Partnership Unit) held by the Parent equal to the product attained by multiplying the number of those Shares by a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is the Conversion Factor.

 

E.                                      Reimbursement not a Distribution .  Except as set forth in the succeeding sentence, if and to the extent any reimbursement made pursuant to this Section 7.4 is determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes not to constitute a payment of expenses of the Partnership, the amount so determined shall constitute a guaranteed payment with respect to capital within the meaning of Section 707(c) of the Code, shall be treated consistently therewith by the Partnership and all Partners and shall not be treated as a distribution for purposes of computing the Partners’ Capital Accounts.  Amounts deemed paid by the Partnership to the General Partner in connection with redemption of Partnership Units pursuant to clause (ii) of subparagraph (D) above shall be treated as a distribution for purposes of computing the Partner’s Capital Accounts.

 

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F.                                       Funding for Certain Capital Transactions .  In the event that the Parent shall undertake to acquire (whether by merger, consolidation, purchase or otherwise) the assets or equity interests of another Person and such acquisition shall require the payment of cash by the Parent (whether to such Person or to any other selling party or parties in such transaction or to one or more creditors, if any, of such Person or such selling party or parties), (i) the Partnership shall advance to the Parent the cash required to consummate such acquisition if, and to the extent that, such cash is not to be obtained by the Parent through an issuance of Shares described in Section 4.2 or pursuant to a transaction described in Section 7.5.B , (ii) the Parent shall, upon consummation of such acquisition, transfer to the Partnership (or cause to be transferred to the Partnership), in full and complete satisfaction of such advance and as required by Section 7.5 , the assets or equity interests of such Person acquired by the Parent in such acquisition (or equity interests in Persons owning all of such assets or equity interests), and (iii) pursuant to and in accordance with Section 4.2 and Section 7.5.B , the Partnership shall issue to the Parent, Partnership Interests and/or rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities of the Partnership having designations, preferences and other rights that are substantially the same as those of any additional Shares, other equity securities, New Securities and/or Convertible Funding Debt, as the case may be, issued by the Parent in connection with such acquisition (whether issued directly to participants in the acquisition transaction or to third parties in order to obtain cash to complete the acquisition).  In addition to, and without limiting, the foregoing, in the event that the Parent engages in a transaction in which (x) the Parent (or a wholly owned direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Parent) merges with another entity (referred to as the “ Parent Entity ”) that is organized in the “UPREIT format” (i.e., where the Parent Entity holds substantially all of its assets and conducts substantially all of its operations through a partnership, limited liability company or other entity (referred to as an “ Operating Entity ”)) and the Parent survives such merger, (y) such Operating Entity merges with or is otherwise acquired by the Partnership in exchange in whole or in part for Partnership Interests, and (z) the Parent is required or elects to pay part of the consideration in connection with such merger involving the Parent Entity in the form of cash and part of the consideration in the form of Shares, the Partnership shall distribute to the Parent with respect to its existing Partnership Interest an amount of cash sufficient to complete such transaction and the General Partner shall cause the Partnership to cancel a number of Partnership Units (rounded to the nearest whole number) held by the Parent equal to the product attained by multiplying the number of additional Shares of the Parent that the Parent would have issued to the Parent Entity or the owners of the Parent Entity in such transaction if the entire consideration therefor were to have been paid in Shares by a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is the Conversion Factor.

 

Section 7.5                                    Outside Activities of the General Partner; Relationship of Shares to Partnership Units; Funding Debt

 

A.                                     General .  Without the Consent of the Outside Limited Partners, the General Partner shall not, directly or indirectly, enter into or conduct any business other than in connection with the ownership, acquisition and disposition of Partnership Interests and the management of the business of the Partnership and such activities as are incidental thereto.  Without the Consent of the Outside Limited Partners, the assets of the General Partner shall be limited to Partnership Interests and permitted debt obligations of the Partnership (as contemplated by Section 7.5.F ); provided, however, that the General Partner shall be permitted to hold such bank accounts or similar instruments or accounts in its name as it deems necessary

 

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to carry out its responsibilities and purposes as contemplated under this Agreement and its organizational documents (provided that accounts held on behalf of the Partnership to permit the General Partner to carry out its responsibilities under this Agreement shall be considered to belong to the Partnership and the interest earned thereon shall, subject to Section 7.4.B , be applied for the benefit of the Partnership); and, provided further that, the General Partner shall be permitted to acquire Qualified Assets.

 

B.                                     Repurchase of Shares and Other Securities .  If the Parent exercises its rights under the Charter to purchase Shares or otherwise elects to purchase from the holders thereof Shares, other equity securities of the Parent, New Securities or Convertible Funding Debt, then the General Partner shall cause the Partnership to purchase from the Parent (i) in the case of a purchase of Shares, that number of Partnership Units of the appropriate class equal to the product obtained by multiplying the number of Shares purchased by the Parent times a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is the Conversion Factor, or (ii) in the case of the purchase of any other securities on the same terms and for the same aggregate price that the Parent purchased such securities.

 

C.                                     Forfeiture of Shares .  If the Partnership or the Parent acquires Shares as a result of the forfeiture of such Shares under a restricted or similar share, share bonus or similar share plan, then the General Partner shall cause the Partnership to cancel, without payment of any consideration to the Parent, that number of Partnership Units of the appropriate class equal to the number of Shares so acquired, and, if the Partnership acquired such Shares, it shall transfer such Shares to the Parent for cancellation.

 

D.                                     Issuances of Shares and Other Securities .  The Parent shall not grant, award or issue any additional Shares (other than Shares issued pursuant to Section 8.6 or pursuant to a dividend or distribution (including any stock split) of Shares to all of its stockholders that results in an adjustment to the Conversion Factor pursuant to clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of the definition thereof), other equity securities of the Parent, New Securities or Convertible Funding Debt unless (i) the General Partner shall cause, pursuant to Section 4.2.A , the Partnership to issue to the Parent, Partnership Interests or rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities of the Partnership having designations, preferences and other rights, all such that the economic interests are substantially the same as those of such additional Shares, other equity securities, New Securities or Convertible Funding Debt, as the case may be, and (ii) in exchange therefor, the Parent transfers or otherwise causes to be transferred to the Partnership, as an additional Capital Contribution, the proceeds (if any) from the grant, award, or issuance of such additional Shares, other equity securities, New Securities or Convertible Funding Debt, as the case may be, or from the exercise of rights contained in such additional Shares, other equity securities, New Securities or Convertible Funding Debt, as the case may be (or, in the case of an acquisition described in Section 7.4.F in which all or a portion of the cash required to consummate such acquisition is to be obtained by the Parent through an issuance of Shares described in Section 4.2 , the Parent complies with such Section 7.4.F ).  Without limiting the foregoing, the Parent is expressly authorized to issue additional Shares, other equity securities, New Securities or Convertible Funding Debt, as the case may be, for less than fair market value, and the General Partner is expressly authorized, pursuant to Section 4.2.A , to cause the Partnership to issue to the Parent corresponding Partnership Interests, (for example, and not by way of limitation, the issuance of Shares and corresponding Partnership Units pursuant to a stock

 

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purchase plan providing for purchases of Shares, either by employees or stockholders, at a discount from fair market value or pursuant to employee stock options that have an exercise price that is less than the fair market value of the Shares, either at the time of issuance or at the time of exercise) as long as (a) the General Partner concludes in good faith that such issuance is in the interests of the General Partner, the Parent and the Partnership and (b) the Parent transfers all proceeds from any such issuance or exercise to the Partnership as an additional Capital Contribution.

 

E.                                      Equity Incentive Plan .  If at any time or from time to time, the Parent sells or otherwise issues Shares pursuant to any Equity Incentive Plan, the Parent shall transfer or cause to be transferred the proceeds of the sale of such Shares, if any, to the Partnership as an additional Capital Contribution in exchange for an amount of additional Partnership Units equal to the number of Shares so sold divided by the Conversion Factor.

 

F.                                       Funding Debt .  The General Partner or the Parent or any wholly owned Subsidiary of either of them may incur a Funding Debt from a financial institution or other lender, including, without limitation, a Funding Debt that is convertible into Shares or otherwise constitutes a class of New Securities (“ Convertible Funding Debt ”), subject to the condition that the General Partner, the Parent or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, lend to the Partnership the net proceeds of such Funding Debt; provided, however, that Convertible Funding Debt shall be issued in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.5.D above; and, provided further that the General Partner, the Parent or such Subsidiary shall not be obligated to lend the net proceeds of any Funding Debt to the Partnership in a manner that would be inconsistent with the Parent’s ability to qualify or remain qualified as a REIT.  If the General Partner, the Parent or such Subsidiary enters into any Funding Debt, the loan to the Partnership shall be on comparable terms and conditions, including interest rate, repayment schedule, costs and expenses and other financial terms, as are applicable with respect to or incurred in connection with such Funding Debt.

 

G.                                     Capital Contributions of the Parent .  The Capital Contributions by the Parent pursuant to Sections 7.5.D and 7.5.E will be deemed to equal the cash contributed by the General Partner plus (a) in the case of cash contributions funded by an offering of any equity interests in or other securities of the Parent, the offering costs attributable to the cash contributed to the Partnership to the extent not reimbursed pursuant to Section 7.4.C and (b) in the case of Partnership Units issued pursuant to Section 7.5.E , an amount equal to the difference between the Value of the Shares sold pursuant to any Equity Incentive Plan and the net proceeds of such sale.

 

H.                                    Tax Loans .  The General Partner or the Parent may in its sole and absolute discretion, cause the Partnership to make an interest free loan to the General Partner or the Parent, as applicable, provided that the proceeds of such loans are used to satisfy any tax liabilities of the General Partner or the Parent, as applicable.

 

Section 7.6                                    Transactions with Affiliates

 

A.                                     Transactions with Certain Affiliates .  Except as expressly permitted by this Agreement, with respect to any transaction with an Affiliate not negotiated on an arm’s-length

 

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basis, the Partnership shall not, directly or indirectly, sell, transfer or convey any property to, or purchase any property from, or borrow funds from, or lend funds to, any Partner or any Affiliate of the Partnership that is not also a Subsidiary of the Partnership, except pursuant to transactions that are determined in good faith by the General Partner to be on terms that are fair and reasonable and no less favorable to the Partnership than would be obtained from an unaffiliated third party.

 

B.                                     Joint Ventures .  The Partnership may transfer assets to joint ventures, limited liability companies, partnerships, corporations, business trusts or other business entities in which it is or thereby becomes a participant upon such terms and subject to such conditions consistent with this Agreement and applicable law as the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, believes to be advisable.

 

C.                                     Services Agreement .  The General Partner is expressly authorized to enter into, in the name and on behalf of the Partnership, any management, shared-services, development or advisory agreement with a property and/or asset manager (including an Affiliate of the Partnership, the Parent or the General Partner) for the provision of property management, asset management, leasing, development and/or similar services with respect to the Partnership properties and any agreement for the provision of services of accountants, legal counsel, appraisers, insurers, brokers, transfer agents, registrars, developers, financial advisors and other professional and administrative services with an Affiliate of any of the Partnership, the Parent or the General Partner, on such terms as the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, believes are advisable.

 

D.                                     Conflict Avoidance .  The General Partner is expressly authorized to enter into, in the name and on behalf of the Partnership, a non-competition arrangement and other conflict avoidance agreements with various Affiliates of the Partnership, the Parent and General Partner on such terms as the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, believes are advisable.

 

E.                                      Benefit Plans Sponsored by the Partnership .  The General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion and without the approval of the Limited Partners, may propose and adopt on behalf of the Partnership employee benefit plans funded by the Partnership for the benefit of employees of the General Partner, the Parent, the Partnership, Subsidiaries of the Partnership or any Affiliate of any of them.

 

Section 7.7                                    Indemnification

 

A.                                     General .  The Partnership shall indemnify each Indemnitee to the fullest extent provided by the Act from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys fees and other legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts, arising from or in connection with any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, incurred by the Indemnitee and relating to the Partnership or the General Partner or the Parent or the operation of, or the ownership of property by, the Indemnitee, Partnership or the General Partner or the Parent as set forth in this Agreement in which any such Indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, unless it is established by a final determination of a court of competent jurisdiction that: (i) the act or omission of the

 

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Indemnitee was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and either was committed in bad faith or was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (ii) the Indemnitee actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (iii) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful.  Without limitation, the foregoing indemnity shall extend to any liability of any Indemnitee, pursuant to a loan guarantee, contractual obligation for any indebtedness or other obligation or otherwise, for any indebtedness of the Partnership or any Subsidiary of the Partnership (including, without limitation, any indebtedness which the Partnership or any Subsidiary of the Partnership has assumed or taken subject to), and the General Partner is hereby authorized and empowered, on behalf of the Partnership, to enter into one or more indemnity agreements consistent with the provisions of this Section 7.7 in favor of any Indemnitee having or potentially having liability for any such indebtedness.  The termination of any proceeding by judgment, order or settlement does not create a presumption that the Indemnitee did not meet the requisite standard of conduct set forth in this Section 7.7.A .  The termination of any proceeding by conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, or an entry of an order of probation prior to judgment, does not create a rebuttable presumption that the Indemnitee acted in a manner contrary to that specified in this Section 7.7.A with respect to the subject matter of such proceeding.  Any indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be made only out of the assets of the Partnership, and any insurance proceeds from the liability policy covering the General Partner and any Indemnitee, and neither the General Partner nor any Limited Partner shall have any obligation to contribute to the capital of the Partnership or otherwise provide funds to enable the Partnership to fund its obligations under this Section 7.7 .

 

B.                                     Reimbursement of Expenses .  Reasonable expenses expected to be incurred by an Indemnitee shall be paid or reimbursed by the Partnership in advance of the final disposition of any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, civil, criminal, administrative or investigative made or threatened against an Indemnitee upon receipt by the Partnership of (i) a written affirmation by the Indemnitee of the Indemnitee’s good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Partnership as authorized in Section 7.7.A has been met and (ii) a written undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay the amount if it shall ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct has not been met.

 

C.                                     No Limitation of Rights .  The indemnification provided by this Section 7.7 shall be in addition to any other rights to which an Indemnitee or any other Person may be entitled under any agreement, pursuant to any vote of the Partners, as a matter of law or otherwise, and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to serve in such capacity unless otherwise provided in a written agreement pursuant to which such Indemnitee is indemnified.

 

D.                                     Insurance .  The Partnership may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of the Indemnitees and such other Persons as the General Partner shall determine against any liability that may be asserted against or expenses that may be incurred by such Person in connection with the Partnership’s activities, regardless of whether the Partnership would have the power to indemnify such Indemnitee or Person against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement.

 

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E.                                      No Personal Liability for Partners .  In no event may an Indemnitee subject any of the Partners to personal liability by reason of the indemnification provisions set forth in this Agreement.

 

F.                                       Interested Transactions .  An Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this Section 7.7 because the Indemnitee had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement.

 

G.                                     Benefit .  The provisions of this Section 7.7 are for the benefit of the Indemnitees, their employees, officers, directors, trustees, heirs, successors, assigns and administrators and shall not be deemed to create any rights for the benefit of any other Persons.  Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.7 , or any provision hereof, shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitation on the Partnership’s liability to any Indemnitee under this Section 7.7 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or related to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.

 

H.                                    Indemnification Payments Not Distributions .  If and to the extent any payments to the General Partner pursuant to this Section 7.7 constitute gross income to the General Partner (as opposed to the repayment of advances made on behalf of the Partnership), such amounts shall constitute guaranteed payments within the meaning of Section 707(c) of the Code, shall be treated consistently therewith by the Partnership and all Partners, and shall not be treated as distributions for purposes of computing the Partners’ Capital Accounts.

 

I.                                         Exception to Indemnification .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the General Partner shall not be entitled to indemnification hereunder for any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense for which the General Partner is obligated to indemnify the Partnership under any other agreement between the General Partner and the Partnership.

 

Section 7.8                                    Liability of the General Partner

 

A.                                     General .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, the General Partner (which for the purposes of this Section 7.8 shall include the directors and officers of the General Partner and the Parent) shall not be liable for monetary or other damages to the Partnership, any Partners or any Assignees for losses sustained, liabilities incurred or benefits not derived as a result of errors in judgment or mistakes of fact or law or of any act or omission unless the General Partner acted in bad faith and the act or omission was material to the matter giving rise to the loss, liability or benefit not derived.

 

B.                                     Obligation to Consider Interests of Parent .  The Limited Partners expressly acknowledge that the General Partner, in considering whether to dispose of any of the Partnership assets, shall take into account the tax consequences to the Parent of any such disposition and shall have no liability whatsoever to the Partnership or any Limited Partner for decisions that are based upon or influenced by such tax consequences.

 

C.                                     No Obligation to Consider Separate Interests of Limited Partners .  The Limited Partners expressly acknowledge that the General Partner is acting on behalf of the Partnership,

 

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the Limited Partners and the Parent’s stockholders, and that, except as set forth herein, the General Partner is under no obligation to consider the separate interests of the Limited Partners (including, without limitation, the tax consequences to Limited Partners or Assignees) in deciding whether to cause the Partnership to take (or decline to take) any actions, and that the General Partner shall not be liable for monetary or other damages for losses sustained, liabilities incurred or benefits not derived by Limited Partners in connection with any decisions or actions made or taken or declined to be made or taken, provided that the General Partner has acted pursuant to its authority under this Agreement.  Any decisions or actions not taken by the General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Agreement shall not constitute a breach of any duty owed to the Partnership or the Limited Partners by law or equity, fiduciary or otherwise.  In the event of a conflict between the interests of the Limited Partners and the stockholders of the Parent, the General Partner shall act in the interests of the Parent’s stockholders, and neither the Parent nor the General Partner shall be liable for monetary or other losses sustained, liabilities incurred or benefits not derived by the Limited Partners in connection therewith.

 

D.                                     Actions of Agents .  Subject to its obligations and duties as General Partner set forth in Section 7.1.A , the General Partner may exercise any of the powers granted to it by this Agreement and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through its agents.  The General Partner shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent appointed by the General Partner in good faith.

 

E.                                      Effect of Amendment .  Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.8 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the General Partner’s liability to the Partnership and the Limited Partners under this Section 7.8 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.

 

F.                                       Limitations of Fiduciary Duty Sections 7.1.B , Section 7.7 .E and this Section 7.8 and any other Section of this Agreement limiting the liability of the General Partner and/or the directors and officers of the Parent shall constitute an express limitation of any duties, fiduciary or otherwise, that they would owe the Partnership or the Limited Partners if such duty would be imposed by any law, in equity or otherwise.

 

Section 7.9                                    Other Matters Concerning the General Partner

 

A.                                     Reliance on Documents .  The General Partner may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document believed by it in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

 

B.                                     Reliance on Advisors .  The General Partner may consult with legal counsel, accountants, appraisers, management consultants, investment bankers and other consultants and advisers selected by it, and any act taken or omitted to be taken in reliance upon the opinion of such Persons as to matters which the General Partner reasonably believes to be within such

 

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Person’s professional or expert competence shall be conclusively presumed to have been done or omitted in good faith and in accordance with such opinion.

 

C.                                     Action Through Agents .  The General Partner shall have the right, in respect of any of its powers or obligations hereunder, to act through any of its duly authorized officers and a duly appointed attorney or attorneys-in-fact.  Each such attorney shall, to the extent provided by the General Partner in the power of attorney, have full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and duty that is permitted or required to be done by the General Partner hereunder.

 

D.                                     Actions to Maintain REIT Status or Avoid Taxation of the Parent .  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement or the Act, any action of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership or any decision of the General Partner to refrain from acting on behalf of the Partnership undertaken in the good faith belief that such action or omission is necessary or advisable in order (i) to protect the ability of the Parent to qualify as a REIT or (ii) to allow the Parent to avoid incurring any liability for taxes under Sections 857 or 4981 of the Code, is expressly authorized under this Agreement and is deemed approved by all of the Limited Partners.

 

Section 7.10                             Reliance by Third Parties

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Person dealing with the Partnership shall be entitled to assume that the General Partner has full power and authority, without consent or approval of any other Partner or Person, to encumber, sell or otherwise use in any manner any and all assets of the Partnership, to enter into any contracts on behalf of the Partnership and to take any and all actions on behalf of the Partnership, and such Person shall be entitled to deal with the General Partner as if the General Partner were the Partnership’s sole party in interest, both legally and beneficially.  Each Limited Partner hereby waives any and all defenses or other remedies that may be available against such Person to contest, negate or disaffirm any action of the General Partner in connection with any such dealing, in each case except to the extent that such action imposes, or purports to impose, liability on the Limited Partner.  In no event shall any Person dealing with the General Partner or its representatives be obligated to ascertain that the terms of this Agreement have been complied with or to inquire into the necessity or expedience of any act or action of the General Partner or its representatives.  Each and every certificate, document or other instrument executed on behalf of the Partnership by the General Partner or its representatives shall be conclusive evidence in favor of any and every Person relying thereon or claiming thereunder that (i) at the time of the execution and delivery of such certificate, document or instrument, this Agreement was in full force and effect, (ii) the Person executing and delivering such certificate, document or instrument was duly authorized and empowered to do so for and on behalf of the Partnership, and (iii) such certificate, document or instrument was duly executed and delivered in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and is binding upon the Partnership.

 

Section 7.11                             Restrictions on General Partner’s Authority

 

The General Partner may not take any action in contravention of an express prohibition or limitation of this Agreement without the written Consent of (i) all Partners adversely affected or

 

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(ii) such lower percentage of the Partnership Interests held by Limited Partners as may be specifically provided for under a provision of this Agreement or the Act.  The preceding sentence shall not apply to any limitation or prohibition in this Agreement that expressly authorizes the General Partner to take action (either in its discretion or in specified circumstances) so long as the General Partner acts within the scope of such authority.

 

Section 7.12                             Loans by Third Parties

 

The Partnership may incur Debt, or enter into similar credit, guarantee, financing or refinancing arrangements for any purpose (including, without limitation, in connection with any acquisition of property and any borrowings from, or guarantees of Debt of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates) with any Person upon such terms as the General Partner determines appropriate.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF LIMITED PARTNERS

 

Section 8.1                                    Limitation of Liability

 

The Limited Partners shall have no liability under this Agreement except as expressly provided in this Agreement, including Section 10.5 , or under the Act.

 

Section 8.2                                    Management of Business

 

No Limited Partner or Assignee (other than the General Partner, the Parent, any of their Affiliates, or any officer, director, employee, partner, agent or trustee of the General Partner, the Parent, the Partnership or any of their Affiliates, in their capacity as such) shall take part in the operation, management or control (within the meaning of the Act) of the Partnership’s business, transact any business in the Partnership’s name or have the power to sign documents for or otherwise bind the Partnership.  The transaction of any such business by the General Partner, the Parent, any of their Affiliates or any officer, director, employee, partner, agent or trustee of the General Partner, the Parent, the Partnership or any of their Affiliates, in their capacity as such, shall not affect, impair or eliminate the limitations on the liability of the Limited Partners or Assignees under this Agreement.

 

Section 8.3                                    Outside Activities of Limited Partners

 

Subject to Section 7.5 , and subject to any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 7.6.B and to any other agreements entered into by a Limited Partner or its Affiliates with the General Partner, the Partnership, the Parent or a Subsidiary, any Limited Partner (other than the Parent) and any officer, director, employee, agent, trustee, Affiliate or stockholder of any Limited Partner shall be entitled to and may have business interests and engage in business activities in addition to those relating to the Partnership, including business interests and activities in direct or indirect competition with the Partnership.  Neither the Partnership nor any Partners shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement in any business ventures of any Limited Partner or Assignee.  None of the Limited Partners (other than the Parent) or any other Person shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement or the partnership relationship

 

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established hereby in any business ventures of any other Person (other than the General Partner or the Parent to the extent expressly provided herein), and no Person (other than the General Partner and the Parent) shall have any obligation pursuant to this Agreement to offer any interest in any such business venture to the Partnership, any Limited Partner or any such other Person, even if such opportunity is of a character which, if presented to the Partnership, any Limited Partner or such other Person, could be taken by such Person.

 

Section 8.4                                    Return of Capital

 

Except pursuant to the right of redemption set forth in Section 8.6 , no Limited Partner shall be entitled to the withdrawal or return of its Capital Contribution, except to the extent of distributions made pursuant to this Agreement or upon termination of the Partnership as provided herein.  No Limited Partner or Assignee shall have priority over any other Limited Partner or Assignee either as to the return of Capital Contributions (except as permitted by Section 4.2.A ) or, except to the extent provided by Exhibit C or as permitted by Sections 4.2.A , 5.1.B(i) , 6.1.A and 6.1.B , or otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, as to profits, losses, distributions or credits.

 

Section 8.5                                    Rights of Limited Partners Relating to the Partnership

 

A.                                     General .  In addition to other rights provided by this Agreement or by the Act, and except as limited by Section 8.5.D , each Limited Partner shall have the right, for a purpose reasonably related to such Limited Partner’s interest as a limited partner in the Partnership, upon written demand with a statement of the purpose of such demand and at such Limited Partner’s own expense:

 

(1)                                  to obtain a copy of the most recent annual and quarterly reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by either the Parent or the Partnership, if any, pursuant to the Exchange Act;

 

(2)                                  to obtain a copy of the Partnership’s U.S. federal, state and local income tax returns for each Fiscal Year;

 

(3)                                  to obtain a current list of the name and last known business, residence or mailing address of each Partner;

 

(4)                                  to obtain a copy of this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments thereto, together with executed copies of all powers of attorney pursuant to which this Agreement, the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments thereto have been executed;

 

(5)                                  to obtain true and full information regarding the amount of cash and a description and statement of the Agreed Value of any other property or services contributed by each Partner and which each Partner has agreed to contribute in the future, and the date on which each Partner became a Partner; and

 

(6)                                  other information regarding the affairs of the Partnership as is just and reasonable.

 

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B.                                     Notice of Conversion Factor .  The Partnership shall notify each Limited Partner upon request (i) of the then current Conversion Factor and (ii) of any changes to the Conversion Factor.

 

C.                                     Notice of Extraordinary Transaction of the Parent .  The Parent shall not make any extraordinary distributions of cash or property to its stockholders or effect a merger (including, without limitation, a triangular merger), consolidation or other combination with or into another Person, a sale of all or substantially all of its assets or any other similar extraordinary transaction without providing written notice to the Limited Partners of its intention to make such distribution or effect such merger, consolidation, combination, sale or other extraordinary transaction at least twenty (20) Business Days prior to the record date to determine stockholders eligible to receive such distribution or to vote upon the approval of such merger, sale or other extraordinary transaction (or, if no such record date is applicable, at least twenty (20) Business Days before consummation of such merger, sale or other extraordinary transaction), which notice shall describe in reasonable detail the action to be taken; provided, however, that the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, may shorten the required notice period of not less than twenty (20) Business Days prior to the record date to determine the stockholders eligible to vote upon a merger transaction (but not any of the other transactions covered by this Section 8.5.C. ) to a period of not less than ten (10) calendar days (thereby continuing to afford the holders of Partnership Units the opportunity to redeem Partnership Units under Section 8.6 on or prior to the record date for the stockholder vote on the merger transaction) so long as (i) (A) the Parent will be the surviving entity in such merger transaction, (B) immediately following the merger transaction, Persons who held voting securities of the Parent immediately prior to such merger transaction will hold, solely by reason of the ownership of voting securities of the Parent immediately prior to the merger transaction, voting securities of the Parent representing not less than fifty-one percent (51%) of the total combined voting power of all outstanding voting securities of the Parent after such merger, and (C) in the event that in connection with such merger transaction the Partnership will merge with another entity, the Partnership will be the surviving entity in such merger, or (ii) the Parent otherwise determines that it is in the best interests of the Parent to shorten such required notice period to a period of not less ten (10) calendar days.  This provision for such notice shall not be deemed (i) to permit any transaction that otherwise is prohibited by this Agreement or requires a Consent of the Partners or (ii) to require a Consent on the part of any one or more of the Limited Partners to a transaction that does not otherwise require Consent under this Agreement.  Each Limited Partner agrees, as a condition to the receipt of the notice pursuant hereto, to keep confidential the information set forth therein until such time as the Parent has made public disclosure thereof and to use such information during such period of confidentiality solely for purposes of determining whether to exercise the Redemption Right; provided, however, that a Limited Partner may disclose such information to its attorney, accountant and/or financial advisor for purposes of obtaining advice with respect to such exercise so long as such attorney, accountant and/or financial advisor agrees to receive and hold such information subject to this confidentiality requirement.

 

D.                                     Confidentiality .  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 8.5 , the General Partner and the Parent may keep confidential from the Limited Partners, for such period of time as the General Partner determines in its sole and absolute discretion, any information that (i) the General Partner reasonably believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or other information the disclosure of which the General Partner in good faith believes is not in the best

 

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interests of the Partnership or could damage the Partnership or its business or (ii) the Partnership or the Parent is required by law or by agreements with unaffiliated third parties to keep confidential, provided, however, that this Section 8.5.D shall not affect the notice requirements set forth in Section 8.5.C above.

 

Section 8.6                                    Redemption Right

 

A.                                     General .  (i) Subject to Section 8.6.C and Section 11.6.E , at any time on or after one (1) year following the date of the initial issuance thereof (which, in the event of the transfer of a Class A Unit or Class B Unit, shall be deemed to be the date that the Class A Unit or such Class B Unit, as the case may be, was issued to the original recipient thereof for purposes of this Section 8.6 ), the holder of a Class A Unit (if other than the Parent or any Subsidiary of the Parent), including any LTIP Units that are converted into Class A Units, shall have the right (the “ Redemption Right ”) to require the Partnership to redeem such Class A Unit, with such redemption to occur on the Specified Redemption Date and at a redemption price equal to and in the form of the Cash Amount to be paid by the Partnership.  Any such Redemption Right shall be exercised pursuant to a Notice of Redemption delivered to the Partnership (with a copy to the General Partner) by the holder of the Partnership Units who is exercising the Redemption Right (the “ Redeeming Partner ”).  A Limited Partner may exercise the Redemption Right from time to time, without limitation as to frequency, with respect to part or all of the Partnership Units that it owns, as selected by the Limited Partner, provided, however, that a Limited Partner may not exercise the Redemption Right for fewer than one thousand (1,000) Partnership Units of a particular class unless such Redeeming Partner then holds fewer than one thousand (1,000) Partnership Units in that class, in which event the Redeeming Partner must exercise the Redemption Right for all of the Partnership Units held by such Redeeming Partner in that class, and provided further that, with respect to a Limited Partner which is an entity, such Limited Partner may exercise the Redemption Right for fewer than one thousand (1,000) Partnership Units without regard to whether or not such Limited Partner is exercising the Redemption Right for all of the Partnership Units held by such Limited Partner as long as such Limited Partner is exercising the Redemption Right on behalf of one or more of its equity owners in respect of one hundred percent (100%) of such equity owners’ interests in such Limited Partner.  For purposes hereof, a Class A Unit issued upon conversion of a Class B Unit shall be deemed to have been issued when the Class B Unit was issued.

 

(ii)                                   The Redeeming Partner shall have no right with respect to any Partnership Units so redeemed to receive any distributions paid in respect of a Partnership Record Date for distributions in respect of Partnership Units after the Specified Redemption Date with respect to such Partnership Units.

 

(iii)                                The Assignee of any Limited Partner may exercise the rights of such Limited Partner pursuant to this Section 8.6 , and such Limited Partner shall be deemed to have assigned such rights to such Assignee and shall be bound by the exercise of such rights by such Limited Partner’s Assignee.  In connection with any exercise of such rights by such Assignee on behalf of such Limited Partner, the Cash Amount shall be paid by the Partnership directly to such Assignee and not to such Limited Partner.

 

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(iv)                               If the Parent provides notice to the Limited Partners, pursuant to Section 8.5.C , the Redemption Right shall be exercisable, without regard to whether the Partnership Units have been outstanding for any specified period, during the period commencing on the date on which the Parent provides such notice and ending on the record date to determine stockholders eligible to receive such distribution or to vote upon the approval of such merger, sale or other extraordinary transaction (or, if no such record date is applicable, at least twenty (20) Business Days before the consummation of such merger, sale or other extraordinary transaction).  If this subparagraph (iv) applies, the Specified Redemption Date is the date on which the Partnership and the General Partner receive notice of exercise of the Redemption Right, rather than ten (10) Business Days after receipt of the Notice of Redemption.

 

B.                                     Parent Assumption of Redemption Right .  (i)  If a Limited Partner has delivered a Notice of Redemption, the General Partner may, in its sole and absolute discretion (subject to the limitations on ownership and transfer of Shares set forth in the Charter), elect to cause the Parent to assume directly and satisfy a Redemption Right.  If such election is made by the General Partner, the Partnership shall determine whether the Parent shall pay the Redemption Amount in the form of the Cash Amount or the Shares Amount.  The Partnership’s decision regarding whether such payment shall be made in the form of the Cash Amount or the Shares Amount shall be made by the General Partner, in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership and in its sole and absolute discretion.  Upon such payment by the Parent, the Parent shall acquire the Partnership Units offered for redemption by the Redeeming Partner and shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as the owner of such Partnership Units.  Unless the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, shall exercise its right to cause the Parent to assume directly and satisfy the Redemption Right, the Parent shall not have any obligation to the Redeeming Partner or to the Partnership with respect to the Redeeming Partner’s exercise of the Redemption Right.  If the General Partner shall exercise its right to cause the Parent to assume directly and satisfy the Redemption Right in the manner described in the first sentence of this Section 8.6.B and the Parent shall fully perform its obligations in connection therewith, the Partnership shall have no right or obligation to pay any amount to the Redeeming Partner with respect to such Redeeming Partner’s exercise of the Redemption Right, and each of the Redeeming Partner, the Partnership and the Parent shall, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, treat the transaction between the Parent and the Redeeming Partner as a sale of the Redeeming Partner’s Partnership Units to the Parent.  Nothing contained in this Section 8.6.B shall imply any right of the General Partner to require any Limited Partner to exercise the Redemption Right afforded to such Limited Partner pursuant to Section 8.6.A .

 

(ii)                                   If the General Partner determines that the Parent shall pay the Redeeming Partner the Redemption Amount in the form of Shares, the total number of Shares to be paid to the Redeeming Partner in exchange for the Redeeming Partner’s Partnership Units shall be the applicable Shares Amount.  If this amount is not a whole number of Shares, the Redeeming Partner shall be paid (i) that number of Shares which equals the nearest whole number less than such amount plus (ii) an amount of cash which the General Partner determines, in its reasonable discretion, to represent the fair value of the remaining fractional Share which would otherwise be payable to the Redeeming Partner.

 

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(iii)                                Each Redeeming Partner agrees to execute such documents or provide such information or materials as the Parent may reasonably require in connection with the issuance of Shares upon exercise of the Redemption Right.

 

C.                                     Exceptions to Exercise of Redemption Right .  Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 8.6.A and 8.6.B , a Partner shall not be entitled to exercise the Redemption Right pursuant to Section 8.6.A if (but only as long as) the delivery of Shares to such Partner on the Specified Redemption Date would (i) be prohibited under the restrictions on the ownership or transfer of Shares in the Charter, (ii) be prohibited under applicable federal or state securities laws or regulations (in each case regardless of whether the Parent would in fact assume and satisfy the Redemption Right), (iii) without limiting the foregoing, result in the Shares being owned by fewer than 100 persons (determined without reference to rules of attribution), (iv) without limiting the foregoing, result in the Parent being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code or cause the Parent to own, actually or constructively, ten percent (10%) or more of the ownership interests in a tenant of the Parent, the Partnership or a Subsidiary of the Partnership’s real property within the meaning of Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code, and (v) without limiting the foregoing, cause the acquisition of the Shares by the Redeeming Partner to be “integrated” with any other distribution of Shares for purposes of complying with the registration provision of the Securities Act, as amended.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parent may, in its sole and absolute discretion, waive such prohibition set forth in this Section 8.6.C .

 

D.                                     No Liens on Partnership Units Delivered for Redemption .  Each Limited Partner covenants and agrees that all Partnership Units delivered for redemption shall be delivered to the Partnership or the Parent, as the case may be, free and clear of all liens; and, notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, neither the Parent nor the Partnership shall be under any obligation to acquire Partnership Units which are or may be subject to any liens.  Each Limited Partner further agrees that, if any state or local property transfer tax is payable as a result of the transfer of its Partnership Units to the Partnership or the Parent, such Limited Partner shall assume and pay such transfer tax.

 

E.                                      Additional Partnership Interests; Modification of Holding Period .  If the Partnership issues Partnership Interests to any Additional Limited Partner pursuant to Article IV , the General Partner shall make such revisions to this Section 8.6 as it determines are necessary to reflect the issuance of such Partnership Interests (including setting forth any restrictions on the exercise of the Redemption Right with respect to such Partnership Interests which differ from those set forth in this Agreement), provided, however, that no such revisions shall materially adversely affect the rights of any other Limited Partner to exercise its Redemption Right without that Limited Partner’s prior written consent.  In addition, the General Partner may, with respect to any holder or holders of Partnership Units, at any time and from time to time, as it shall determine in its sole and absolute discretion, (i) reduce or waive the length of the period prior to which such holder or holders may not exercise the Redemption Right or (ii) reduce or waive the length of the period between the exercise of the Redemption Right and the Specified Redemption Date.

 

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ARTICLE IX

 

BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS

 

Section 9.1                                    Records and Accounting

 

The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal office of the Partnership appropriate books and records with respect to the Partnership’s business, including, without limitation, all books and records necessary to provide to the Limited Partners any information, lists and copies of documents required to be provided pursuant to Section 9.3 .  Any records maintained by or on behalf of the Partnership in the regular course of its business may be kept on, or be in the form of, punch cards, magnetic tape, photographs, micrographics or any other information storage device, provided, however, that the records so maintained are convertible into clearly legible written form within a reasonable period of time.  The books of the Partnership shall be maintained, for financial and tax reporting purposes, on an accrual basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Section 9.2                                    Fiscal Year

 

The fiscal year of the Partnership shall be the calendar year.

 

Section 9.3                                    Reports

 

A.                                     Annual Reports .  As soon as practicable, but in no event later than the date on which the Parent mails its annual report to its stockholders, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed to each Limited Partner an annual report, as of the close of the most recently ended Fiscal Year, containing financial statements of the Partnership, or of the Parent if such statements are prepared on a consolidated basis with the Partnership, for such Fiscal Year, presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, such statements to be audited by a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants selected by the Parent.

 

B.                                     Quarterly Reports .  If and to the extent that the Parent mails quarterly reports to its stockholders, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than the date on which such reports are mailed, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed to each Limited Partner a report containing unaudited financial statements, as of the last day of such fiscal quarter, of the Partnership, or of the Parent if such statements are prepared on a consolidated basis with the Partnership, and such other information as may be required by applicable law or regulation, or as the General Partner determines to be appropriate.

 

C.                                     The General Partner shall have satisfied its obligations under Section 9.3.A and Section 9.3.B by posting or making available the reports required by this Section 9.3 on the website maintained from time to time by the Partnership or the Parent, provided that such reports are able to be printed or downloaded from such website.

 

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ARTICLE X

 

TAX MATTERS

 

Section 10.1                             Preparation of Tax Returns

 

The General Partner shall arrange for the preparation and timely filing of all returns of Partnership income, gains, deductions, losses and other items required of the Partnership for U.S. federal and state income tax purposes and shall use all reasonable efforts to furnish, within ninety (90) days of the close of each taxable year, the tax information reasonably required by Limited Partners for U.S. federal and state income tax reporting purposes.

 

Section 10.2                             Tax Elections

 

A.                                     Except as otherwise provided herein, the General Partner shall, in its sole and absolute discretion, determine whether to make any available election pursuant to the Code (including the election under Section 754 of the Code).  The General Partner shall have the right to seek to revoke any such election upon the General Partner’s determination in its sole and absolute discretion that such revocation is in the best interests of the Partners.

 

B.                                     Without limiting the foregoing, the Partners, intending to be legally bound, hereby authorize the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership, to make an election (the “ LV Safe Harbor Election ”) to have the “liquidation value” safe harbor provided in Proposed Treasury Regulation § 1.83-3(l) and the Proposed Revenue Procedure set forth in Internal Revenue Service Notice 2005-43, as such safe harbor may be modified when such proposed guidance is issued in final form or as amended by subsequently issued guidance (the “ LV Safe Harbor ”), apply to any interest in the Partnership transferred to a service provider while the LV Safe Harbor Election remains effective, to the extent such interest meets the LV Safe Harbor requirements (collectively, such interests are referred to as “ LV Safe Harbor Interests ”).  The tax matters partner is authorized and directed to execute and file the LV Safe Harbor Election on behalf of the Partnership and the Partners.  The Partnership and the Partners (including any person to whom an interest in the Partnership is transferred in connection with the performance of services) hereby agree to comply with all requirements of the LV Safe Harbor (including forfeiture allocations) with respect to all LV Safe Harbor Interests and to prepare and file all U.S. federal income tax returns reporting the tax consequences of the issuance and vesting of LV Safe Harbor Interests consistent with such final LV Safe Harbor guidance.  The Partnership is also authorized to take such actions as are necessary to achieve, under the LV Safe Harbor, the effect that the election and compliance with all requirements of the LV Safe Harbor referred to above would be intended to achieve under Proposed Treasury Regulation § 1.83-3, including amending this Agreement.

 

Section 10.3                             Tax Matters Partner

 

A.                                     General .  The General Partner shall be the “tax matters partner” of the Partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  Pursuant to Section 6223(c)(3) of the Code, upon receipt of notice from the IRS of the beginning of an administrative proceeding with respect to the Partnership, the tax matters partner shall furnish the IRS with the name, address, taxpayer

 

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identification number and profit interest of each of the Limited Partners and any Assignees; provided, however, that such information is provided to the Partnership by the Limited Partners.

 

B.                                     Powers .  The tax matters partner is authorized, but not required:

 

(1)                                  to enter into any settlement with the IRS with respect to any administrative or judicial proceedings for the adjustment of Partnership items required to be taken into account by a Partner for income tax purposes (such administrative proceedings being referred to as a “tax audit” and such judicial proceedings being referred to as “judicial review”), and in the settlement agreement the tax matters partner may expressly state that such agreement shall bind all Partners, except that such settlement agreement shall not bind any Partner (i) who (within the time prescribed pursuant to the Code and Regulations) files a statement with the IRS providing that the tax matters partner shall not have the authority to enter into a settlement agreement on behalf of such Partner or (ii) who is a “notice partner” (as defined in Section 6231(a)(8) of the Code) or a member of a “notice group” (as defined in Section 6223(b)(2) of the Code);

 

(2)                                  if a notice of a final administrative adjustment at the Partnership level of any item required to be taken into account by a Partner for tax purposes (a “ final adjustment ”) is mailed to the tax matters partner, to seek judicial review of such final adjustment, including the filing of a petition for readjustment with the Tax Court or the filing of a complaint for refund with the United States Claims Court or the District Court of the United States for the district in which the Partnership’s principal place of business is located;

 

(3)                                  to intervene in any action brought by any other Partner for judicial review of a final adjustment;

 

(4)                                  to file a request for an administrative adjustment with the IRS at any time and, if any part of such request is not allowed by the IRS, to file an appropriate pleading (petition or complaint) for judicial review with respect to such request;

 

(5)                                  to enter into an agreement with the IRS to extend the period for assessing any tax which is attributable to any item required to be taken into account by a Partner for tax purposes, or an item affected by such item;

 

(6)                                  to take any other action on behalf of the Partners of the Partnership in connection with any tax audit or judicial review proceeding, to the extent permitted by applicable law or regulations; and

 

(7)                                  to take any other action required by the Code and Regulations in connection with its role as tax matters partner.

 

The taking of any action and the incurring of any expense by the tax matters partner in connection with any such audit or proceeding referred to in clause (6) above, except to the extent required by law, is a matter in the sole and absolute discretion of the tax matters partner and the provisions relating to indemnification of the General Partner set forth in Section 7.7 shall be fully applicable to the tax matters partner in its capacity as such.

 

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C.                                     Reimbursement .  The tax matters partner shall receive no compensation for its services.  All third party costs and expenses incurred by the tax matters partner in performing its duties as such (including legal and accounting fees and expenses) shall be borne by the Partnership.  Nothing herein shall be construed to restrict the Partnership from engaging an accounting firm and/or law firm to assist the tax matters partner in discharging its duties hereunder, so long as the compensation paid by the Partnership for such services is reasonable.

 

Section 10.4                             Organizational Expenses

 

The Partnership shall elect to deduct expenses as provided in Section 709 of the Code.

 

Section 10.5                             Withholding

 

Each Limited Partner hereby authorizes the Partnership to withhold from or pay on behalf of or with respect to such Limited Partner any amount of U.S. federal, state, local, or foreign taxes that the General Partner determines that the Partnership is required to withhold or pay with respect to any amount distributable, allocable or otherwise transferred to such Limited Partner pursuant to this Agreement, including, without limitation, any taxes required to be withheld or paid by the Partnership pursuant to Sections 1441, 1442, 1445,  1446 or 1471-1474, inclusive, of the Code and the Regulations thereunder.  Any amount paid on behalf of or with respect to a Limited Partner (other than amounts actually withheld from payments to a Limited Partner) shall constitute a loan by the Partnership, to such Limited Partner, which loan shall be repaid by such Limited Partner within fifteen (15) days after notice from the General Partner that such payment must be made unless (i) the Partnership withholds such payment from a distribution which would otherwise be made to the Limited Partner or (ii) the General Partner determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, that such payment may be satisfied out of the available funds of the Partnership which would, but for such payment, be distributed to the Limited Partner.  Any amounts withheld pursuant to the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii) shall be treated as having been distributed or otherwise paid to such Limited Partner.  Each Limited Partner hereby unconditionally and irrevocably grants to the Partnership a security interest in such Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest to secure such Limited Partner’s obligation to pay to the Partnership any amounts required to be paid pursuant to this Section 10.5 .  If a Limited Partner fails to pay any amounts owed to the Partnership pursuant to this Section 10.5 when due, the General Partner may, in its sole and absolute discretion, elect to make the payment to the Partnership on behalf of such defaulting Limited Partner, and in such event shall be deemed to have loaned such amount to such defaulting Limited Partner and shall succeed to all rights and remedies of the Partnership as against such defaulting Limited Partner (including, without limitation, the right to receive distributions).  Any amounts payable by a Limited Partner hereunder shall bear interest at the base rate on corporate loans at large United States money center commercial banks, as published from time to time in The Wall Street Journal, plus four (4) percentage points (but not higher than the maximum rate that may be charged under law) from the date such amount is due (i.e., fifteen (15) days after demand) until such amount is paid in full.  Each Limited Partner shall take such actions as the Partnership or the General Partner shall request to perfect or enforce the security interest created hereunder.

 

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ARTICLE XI

 

TRANSFERS AND WITHDRAWALS

 

Section 11.1                             Transfer

 

A.                                     Definition .  The term “transfer,” when used in this Article XI with respect to a Partnership Interest or a Partnership Unit, shall be deemed to refer to a transaction by which the General Partner purports to assign all or any part of its General Partner Interest to another Person or by which a Limited Partner purports to assign all or any part of its Limited Partner Interest to another Person, and includes a sale, assignment, gift, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation, mortgage, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise.  The term “transfer” when used in this Article XI does not include any redemption or repurchase of Partnership Units by the Partnership from a Partner or acquisition of Partnership Units from a Limited Partner by the Parent pursuant to Section 8.6 or otherwise.  No part of the interest of a Limited Partner shall be subject to the claims of any creditor, any spouse for alimony or support, or to legal process, and may not be voluntarily or involuntarily alienated or encumbered except as may be specifically provided for in this Agreement.

 

B.                                     General .  No Partnership Interest shall be transferred, in whole or in part, except in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Article XI .  Any transfer or purported transfer of a Partnership Interest not made in accordance with this Article XI shall be null and void.

 

Section 11.2                             Transfers of Partnership Interests of General Partner

 

A.                                     General .  Other than to an Affiliate of the Parent, the General Partner may not transfer any of its Partnership Interests except in connection with (i) a transaction permitted under Section 11.2.B , (ii) a Transfer to any wholly owned Subsidiary of the General Partner or the owner of all of the ownership interests of the General Partner, or (iii) as otherwise expressly permitted under this Agreement, nor shall the General Partner withdraw as General Partner except in connection with a transaction permitted under Section 11.2.B or any Transfer, merger, consolidation, or other combination permitted under clause (ii) of this Section 11.2.A .

 

B.                                     Termination Transactions .  Neither the General Partner nor the Parent shall engage in any merger (including, without limitation, a triangular merger), consolidation or other combination with or into another Person (other than any transaction permitted by Section 11.2.A ), any sale of all or substantially all of its assets or any reclassification, recapitalization or change of outstanding Shares (other than a change in par value, or from par value to no par value, or as a result of a subdivision or combination as described in the definition of “ Conversion Factor ”) (a “ Termination Transaction ”), unless:

 

(i)                                      the Consent of the Outside Limited Partners is obtained;

 

(ii)                                   following such Termination Transaction, substantially all of the assets directly or indirectly owned by the surviving entity are owned directly or indirectly by the Partnership or another limited partnership or limited liability company which is the survivor of a merger, consolidation or combination of assets with the Partnership; or

 

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(iii)                                in connection with such Termination Transaction all Partners either will receive, or will have the right to receive, for each Partnership Unit an amount of cash, securities, or other property equal to the product of the Conversion Factor and the greatest amount of cash, securities or other property paid to a holder of Shares, if any, corresponding to such Unit in consideration of one such Share at any time during the period from and after the date on which the Termination Transaction is consummated; provided, however, that, if in connection with the Termination Transaction, a purchase, tender or exchange offer shall have been made to and accepted by the holders of the percentage required for the approval of mergers under the organizational documents of the Parent, each holder of Partnership Units shall receive, or shall have the right to receive without any right of Consent set forth above in this Section 11.2.B , the greatest amount of cash, securities, or other property which such holder would have received had it exercised the Redemption Right and received Shares in exchange for its Partnership Units immediately prior to the expiration of such purchase, tender or exchange offer and had thereupon accepted such purchase, tender or exchange offer.

 

C.                                     Creation of New General Partner .  The General Partner shall not enter into an agreement or other arrangement providing for or facilitating the creation of a General Partner other than the General Partner, unless the successor General Partner executes and delivers a counterpart to this Agreement in which such General Partner agrees to be fully bound by all of the terms and conditions contained herein that are applicable to a General Partner.

 

Section 11.3                             Limited Partners’ Rights to Transfer

 

A.                                     General .  Except to the extent expressly permitted in Sections 11.3.B and 11.3.C or in connection with the exercise of a Redemption Right pursuant to Section 8.6 , a Limited Partner may not transfer all or portion of its Partnership Interest, or any of such Limited Partner’s rights as a Limited Partner, without the prior written consent of the General Partner, which consent may be withheld in the General Partner’s sole and absolute discretion.  Any transfer otherwise permitted under Sections 11.3.B and 11.3.C shall be subject to the conditions set forth in Section 11.3.D and 11.3.E , and all permitted transfers shall be subject to Section 11.5 and Section 11.6 .

 

B.                                     Incapacitated Limited Partner .  If a Limited Partner is subject to Incapacity, the executor, administrator, trustee, committee, guardian, conservator or receiver of such Limited Partner’s estate shall have all the rights of a Limited Partner, but not more rights than those enjoyed by other Limited Partner, for the purpose of settling or managing the estate and such power as the Incapacitated Limited Partner possessed to transfer all or any part of its interest in the Partnership.  The Incapacity of a Limited Partner, in and of itself, shall not dissolve or terminate the Partnership.

 

C.                                     Permitted Transfers .  A Limited Partner may transfer, with or without the consent of the General Partner, all or a portion of its Partnership Interest (i) in the case of a Limited Partner who is an individual, to a member of his or her Immediate Family, any trust formed for the benefit of himself or herself and/or members of his or her Immediate Family, or any partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, corporation or other business entity comprised only of himself or herself and/or members of his or her Immediate Family and entities the ownership interests in which are owned by or for the benefit of himself or herself and/or

 

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members of his or her Immediate Family, (ii) in the case of a Limited Partner which is a trust, to the beneficiaries of such trust, (iii) in the case of a Limited Partner which is a partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, corporation or other business entity to which Units were transferred pursuant to clause (i) above, to its partners, owners or stockholders, as the case may be, who are members of the Immediate Family of or are actually the Person(s) who transferred Partnership Units to it pursuant to clause (i) above, (iv) in the case of a Limited Partner which acquired Partnership Units as of the date hereof and which is a partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, corporation or other business entity, to its partners, owners, stockholders or Affiliates thereof, as the case may be, or the Persons owning the beneficial interests in any of its partners, owners or stockholders or Affiliates thereof (it being understood that this clause (iv) will apply to all of each Person’s Interests whether the Partnership Units relating thereto were acquired on the date hereof or hereafter), (v) in the case of a Limited Partner which is a partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, corporation or other business entity other than any of the foregoing described in clause (iii) or (iv), in accordance with the terms of any agreement between such Limited Partner and the Partnership pursuant to which such Partnership Interest was issued, (vi) pursuant to a gift or other transfer without consideration, (vii) pursuant to applicable laws of descent or distribution, (viii) to another Limited Partner and (ix) pursuant to a grant of security interest or other encumbrance effectuated in a bona fide transaction or as a result of the exercise of remedies related thereto, subject to the provisions of Section 11.3.E hereof.  A trust or other entity will be considered formed “for the benefit” of a Partner’s Immediate Family even though some other Person has a remainder interest under or with respect to such trust or other entity.

 

D.                                     No Transfers Violating Securities Laws .  The General Partner may prohibit any transfer of Partnership Units by a Limited Partner unless it receives a written opinion of legal counsel (which opinion and counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Partnership) to such Limited Partner to the effect that such transfer would not require filing of a registration statement under the Securities Act or would not otherwise violate any federal or state securities laws or regulations applicable to the Partnership or the Partnership Unit or, at the option of the Partnership, an opinion of legal counsel to the Partnership to the same effect.

 

E.                                      No Transfers to Holders of Nonrecourse Liabilities .  No pledge or transfer of any Partnership Units may be made to a lender to the Partnership or any Person who is related (within the meaning of Section 1.752-4(b) of the Regulations) to any lender to the Partnership whose loan otherwise constitutes a Nonrecourse Liability unless (i) the General Partner is provided prior written notice thereof and (ii) the lender enters into an arrangement with the Partnership and the General Partner to exchange or redeem for the Redemption Amount any Partnership Units in which a security interest is held simultaneously with the time at which such lender would be deemed to be a partner in the Partnership for purposes of allocating liabilities to such lender under Section 752 of the Code.

 

Section 11.4                             Substituted Limited Partners

 

A.                                     Consent of General Partner .  No Limited Partner shall have the right to substitute a transferee as a Limited Partner in its place.  The General Partner shall, however, have the right to consent to the admission of a transferee of the interest of a Limited Partner pursuant to this Section 11.4 as a Substituted Limited Partner, which consent may be given or withheld by the

 

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General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion.  The General Partner’s failure or refusal to permit a transferee of any such interests to become a Substituted Limited Partner shall not give rise to any cause of action against the Partnership, the General Partner or any Partner.  The General Partner hereby grants its consent to the admission as a Substituted Limited Partner to any bona fide financial institution that loans money or otherwise extends credit to a holder of Partnership Units and thereafter becomes the owner of such Partnership Units pursuant to the exercise by such financial institution of its rights under a pledge of such Partnership Units granted in connection with such loan or extension of credit.

 

B.                                     Rights of Substituted Partner .  A transferee who has been admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner in accordance with this Article XI shall have all the rights and powers and be subject to all the restrictions and liabilities of a Limited Partner under this Agreement.  The admission of any transferee as a Substituted Limited Partner shall be conditioned upon the transferee executing and delivering to the Partnership an acceptance of all the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, the provisions of Section 15.11 ) and such other documents or instruments as may be required to effect the admission.

 

C.                                     Partner Registry .  Upon the admission of a Substituted Limited Partner, the General Partner shall update the Partner Registry in the books and records of the Partnership as it deems necessary to reflect such admission in the Partner Registry.

 

Section 11.5                             Assignees

 

If the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, does not consent to the admission of any permitted transferee under Section 11.3 as a Substituted Limited Partner, as described in Section 11.4 , such transferee shall be considered an Assignee for purposes of this Agreement.  An Assignee shall be entitled to all the rights of an assignee of a limited partnership interest under the Act, including the right to receive distributions from the Partnership and the share of Net Income, Net Losses, gain, loss and Recapture Income attributable to the Partnership Units assigned to such transferee, and shall have the rights granted to the Limited Partners under Section 8.6 , but shall not be deemed to be a holder of Partnership Units for any other purpose under this Agreement, and shall not be entitled to vote such Partnership Units in any matter presented to the Limited Partners for a vote (such Partnership Units being deemed to have been voted on such matter in the same proportion as all other Partnership Units held by Limited Partners are voted).  If any such transferee desires to make a further assignment of any such Partnership Units, such transferee shall be subject to all the provisions of this Article XI to the same extent and in the same manner as any Limited Partner desiring to make an assignment of Partnership Units.

 

Section 11.6                             General Provisions

 

A.                                     Withdrawal of Limited Partner .  No Limited Partner may withdraw from the Partnership other than as a result of a permitted transfer of all of such Limited Partner’s Partnership Units in accordance with this Article XI or pursuant to redemption of all of its Partnership Units under Section 8.6 .

 

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B.                                     Termination of Status as Limited Partner .  Any Limited Partner who shall transfer all of its Partnership Units in a transfer permitted pursuant to this Article XI or pursuant to redemption of all of its Partnership Units under Section 8.6 shall cease to be a Limited Partner.

 

C.                                     Timing of Transfers .  Transfers pursuant to this Article XI may only be made upon three (3) Business Days prior notice to the General Partner, unless the General Partner otherwise agrees.

 

D.                                     Allocations .  If any Partnership Interest is transferred during any quarterly segment of the Partnership’s fiscal year in compliance with the provisions of this Article XI or redeemed or transferred pursuant to Section 8.6 , Net Income, Net Losses, each item thereof and all other items attributable to such interest for such fiscal year shall be divided and allocated between the transferor Partner and the transferee Partner by taking into account their varying interests during the fiscal year in accordance with Section 706(d) of the Code and corresponding Regulations, using the interim closing of the books method (unless the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, elects to adopt a daily, weekly, or a monthly proration period, in which event Net Income, Net Losses, each item thereof and all other items attributable to such interest for such fiscal year shall be prorated based upon the applicable method selected by the General Partner).  Solely for purposes of making such allocations, each of such items for the calendar month in which the transfer or redemption occurs shall be allocated to the Person who is a Partner as of midnight on the last day of said month.  All distributions of Available Cash attributable to any Partnership Unit with respect to which the Partnership Record Date is before the date of such transfer, assignment or redemption shall be made to the transferor Partner or the Redeeming Partner, as the case may be, and, in the case of a transfer or assignment other than a redemption, all distributions of Available Cash thereafter attributable to such Partnership Unit shall be made to the transferee Partner.

 

E.                                      Additional Restrictions .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, and in addition to any other restrictions on transfer herein contained, including, without limitation, the provisions of Article VII and this Article XI , in no event may any transfer or assignment of a Partnership Interest by any Partner (including pursuant to Section 8.6 ) be made without the express consent of the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, (i) to any person or entity who lacks the legal right, power or capacity to own a Partnership Interest; (ii) in violation of applicable law; (iii) of any component portion of a Partnership Interest, such as the Capital Account, or rights to distributions, separate and apart from all other components of a Partnership Interest; (iv) if in the opinion of legal counsel to the Partnership there is a significant risk that such transfer would cause a termination of the Partnership for U.S. federal or state income tax purposes (except as a result of the redemption or exchange for Shares of all Partnership Units held by all Limited Partners other than the General Partner, or any Subsidiary of either, or pursuant to a transaction expressly permitted under Section 11.2 ); (v) if in the opinion of counsel to the Partnership, there is a significant risk that such transfer would cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes; (vi) if such transfer requires the registration of such Partnership Interest pursuant to any applicable federal or state securities laws; (vii) if such transfer is effectuated through an “established securities market” or a “secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof)” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code and the Regulations thereunder or such transfer causes the Partnership to become a “publicly traded partnership,” as such term is defined in Sections

 

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469(k)(2) or 7704(b) of the Code (provided, however, that, this clause (vii) shall not be the basis for limiting or restricting in any manner the exercise of the Redemption Right under Section 8.6 unless, and only to the extent that, outside tax counsel provides to the General Partner an opinion to the effect that, in the absence of such limitation or restriction, there is a significant risk that the Partnership will be treated as a “publicly traded partnership” and, by reason thereof, taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes); (viii) if such transfer subjects the Partnership or the activities of the Partnership to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisors Act of 1940 or ERISA, each as amended; or (ix) if in the opinion of legal counsel for the Partnership, there is a risk that such transfer would adversely affect the ability of the Parent to qualify or continue to qualify as a REIT or subject the Parent to any additional taxes under Sections 857 or 4981 of the Code.

 

F.                                       Avoidance of “Publicly Traded Partnership” Status .  The General Partner shall monitor the transfers of interests in the Partnership to determine (i) if such interests are being traded on an “established securities market” or a “secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof)” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code and (ii) whether additional transfers of interests would result in the Partnership being unable to qualify for at least one of the “safe harbors” set forth in Regulations Section 1.7704-1 (or such other guidance subsequently published by the IRS setting forth safe harbors under which interests will not be treated as “readily tradable on a secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof)” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code) (the “ Safe Harbors ”).  The General Partner shall take all steps reasonably necessary or appropriate to prevent any trading of interests or any recognition by the Partnership of transfers made on such markets and, except as otherwise provided herein, to insure that at least one of the Safe Harbors is met; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not authorize the General Partner to limit or restrict in any manner the right of any holder of a Partnership Unit to exercise the Redemption Right in accordance with the terms of Section 8.6 unless, and only to the extent that, outside tax counsel provides to the General Partner an opinion to the effect that, in the absence of such limitation or restriction, there is a significant risk that the Partnership will be treated as a “publicly traded partnership” and, by reason thereof, taxable as a corporation.

 

ARTICLE XII

 

ADMISSION OF PARTNERS

 

Section 12.1                             Admission of a Successor General Partner

 

A successor to all of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 11.2 who is proposed to be admitted as a successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner, effective upon such transfer.  Any such successor shall carry on the business of the Partnership without dissolution.  In such case, the admission shall be subject to such successor General Partner executing and delivering to the Partnership an acceptance of all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement and such other documents or instruments as may be required to effect the admission.

 

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Section 12.2                             Admission of Additional Limited Partners

 

A.                                     General .  No Person shall be admitted as an Additional Limited Partner without the consent of the General Partner, which consent shall be given or withheld in the General Partner’s sole and absolute discretion.  A Person who makes a Capital Contribution to the Partnership in accordance with this Agreement or who exercises an option to receive Partnership Units shall be admitted to the Partnership as an Additional Limited Partner only with the consent of the General Partner and only upon furnishing to the General Partner (i) evidence of acceptance in form satisfactory to the General Partner of all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the power of attorney granted in Section 15.11 and (ii) such other documents or instruments as may be required in the discretion of the General Partner to effect such Person’s admission as an Additional Limited Partner.  The admission of any Person as an Additional Limited Partner shall become effective on the date upon which the name of such Person is recorded on the books and records of the Partnership, following the consent of the General Partner to such admission.

 

B.                                     Allocations to Additional Limited Partners .  If any Additional Limited Partner is admitted to the Partnership on any day other than the first day of a Fiscal Year, then Net Income, Net Losses, each item thereof and all other items allocable among Partners and Assignees for such Fiscal Year shall be allocated among such Additional Limited Partner and all other Partners and Assignees by taking into account their varying interests during the Fiscal Year in accordance with Section 706(d) of the Code, using the interim closing of the books method (unless the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, elects to adopt a daily, weekly or monthly proration method, in which event Net Income, Net Losses, and each item thereof would be prorated based upon the applicable period selected by the General Partner).  Solely for purposes of making such allocations, each of such items for the calendar month in which an admission of any Additional Limited Partner occurs shall be allocated among all the Partners and Assignees including such Additional Limited Partner.  All distributions of Available Cash with respect to which the Partnership Record Date is before the date of such admission shall be made solely to Partners and Assignees other than the Additional Limited Partner, and all distributions of Available Cash thereafter shall be made to all the Partners and Assignees including such Additional Limited Partner.

 

Section 12.3                             Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership

 

For the admission to the Partnership of any Partner, the General Partner shall take all steps necessary and appropriate under the Act to amend the records of the Partnership and, if necessary, to prepare as soon as practical an amendment of this Agreement (including an amendment to the Partner Registry) and, if required by law, shall prepare and file an amendment to the Certificate of Limited Partnership and may for this purpose exercise the power of attorney granted pursuant to Section 15.11 .

 

Section 12.4                             Limit on Number of Partners

 

Unless otherwise permitted by the General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion, no Person shall be admitted to the Partnership as an Additional Limited Partner if the effect of such

 

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admission would be to cause the Partnership to have a number of Partners that would cause the Partnership to become a reporting company under the Exchange Act.

 

ARTICLE XIII

 

DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION

 

Section 13.1                             Dissolution

 

The Partnership shall not be dissolved by the admission of Substituted Limited Partners or Additional Limited Partners or by the admission of a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.  Upon the withdrawal of the General Partner, any successor General Partner shall continue the business of the Partnership.  The Partnership shall dissolve, and its affairs shall be wound up, upon the first to occur of any of the following (“ Liquidating Events ”):

 

(i)                                      an event of withdrawal of the General Partner (other than an event of bankruptcy) unless within ninety (90) days after the withdrawal, the written Consent of the Outside Limited Partners to continue the business of the Partnership and to the appointment, effective as of the date of withdrawal, of a substitute General Partner is obtained;

 

(ii)                                   an election to dissolve the Partnership made by the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion;

 

(iii)                                entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Act;

 

(iv)                               ninety (90) days after the sale of all or substantially all of the assets and properties of the Partnership for cash or for marketable securities;

 

(v)                                  the redemption of all Partnership Units other than those held by the General Partner; or

 

(vi)                               a final and non-appealable judgment is entered by a court of competent jurisdiction ruling that the General Partner is bankrupt or insolvent, or a final and non-appealable order for relief is entered by a court with appropriate jurisdiction against the General Partner, in each case under any federal or state bankruptcy or insolvency laws as now or hereafter in effect, unless prior to or at the time of the entry of such order or judgment, the written Consent of the Outside Limited Partners is obtained to continue the business of the Partnership and to the appointment, effective as of a date prior to the date of such order or judgment, of a substitute General Partner.

 

Section 13.2                             Winding Up

 

A.                                     General .  Upon the occurrence of a Liquidating Event, the Partnership shall continue solely for the purposes of winding up its affairs in an orderly manner, liquidating its assets, and satisfying the claims of its creditors and Partners.  No Partner shall take any action that is inconsistent with, or not necessary to or appropriate for, the winding up of the

 

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Partnership’s business and affairs.  The General Partner (or, if there is no remaining General Partner, any Person elected by a majority in interest of the Limited Partners (the “ Liquidator ”)) shall be responsible for overseeing the winding up and dissolution of the Partnership and shall take full account of the Partnership’s liabilities and property and the Partnership property shall be liquidated as promptly as is consistent with obtaining the fair value thereof, and the proceeds therefrom (which may, to the extent determined by the General Partner, include equity or other securities of the General Partner or any other entity) shall be applied and distributed in the following order:

 

(1)                                  First, to the payment and discharge of all of the Partnership’s debts and liabilities to creditors other than the Partners;

 

(2)                                  Second, to the payment and discharge of all of the Partnership’s debts and liabilities to the General Partner;

 

(3)                                  Third, to the payment and discharge of all of the Partnership’s debts and liabilities to the Limited Partners;

 

(4)                                  Fourth, to the holders of Partnership Interests that are entitled to any preference in distribution upon liquidation in accordance with the rights of any such class or series of Partnership Interests (and, within each such class or series, to each holder thereof pro rata based on its Percentage Interest in such class); and

 

(5)                                  The balance, if any, to the Partners in accordance with their positive Capital Accounts, after giving effect to all contributions, distributions, and allocations for all periods.

 

The General Partner shall not receive any additional compensation for any services performed pursuant to this Article XIII .

 

B.                                     Deferred Liquidation .  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13.2.A which require liquidation of the assets of the Partnership, but subject to the order of priorities set forth therein, if prior to or upon dissolution of the Partnership the Liquidator determines that an immediate sale of part or all of the Partnership’s assets would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners, the Liquidator may, in its sole and absolute discretion, defer for a reasonable time the liquidation of any assets except those necessary to satisfy liabilities of the Partnership (including to those Partners as creditors) or distribute to the Partners, in lieu of cash, as tenants in common and in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.2.A , undivided interests in such Partnership assets as the Liquidator deems not suitable for liquidation.  Any such distributions in kind shall be made only if, in the good faith judgment of the Liquidator, such distributions in kind are in the best interest of the Partners, and shall be subject to such conditions relating to the disposition and management of such properties as the Liquidator deems reasonable and equitable and to any agreements governing the operation of such properties at such time.  The Liquidator shall determine the fair market value of any property distributed in kind using such reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt.

 

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Section 13.3                             Compliance with Timing Requirements of Regulations; Restoration of Deficit Capital Accounts

 

A.                                     Timing of Distributions .  If the Partnership is “liquidated” within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g), distributions shall be made under this Article XIII to the General Partner and Limited Partners who have positive Capital Accounts in compliance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(b)(2).  In the discretion of the General Partner, a pro rata portion of the distributions that would otherwise be made to the General Partner and Limited Partners pursuant to this Article XIII may be: (A) distributed to a trust established for the benefit of the General Partner and Limited Partners for the purposes of liquidating Partnership assets, collecting amounts owed to the Partnership and paying any contingent or unforeseen liabilities or obligations of the Partnership or of the General Partner arising out of or in connection with the Partnership (in which case the assets of any such trust shall be distributed to the General Partner and Limited Partners from time to time, in the reasonable discretion of the General Partner, in the same proportions as the amount distributed to such trust by the Partnership would otherwise have been distributed to the General Partner and Limited Partners pursuant to this Agreement); or (B) withheld to provide a reasonable reserve for Partnership liabilities (contingent or otherwise) and to reflect the unrealized portion of any installment obligations owed to the Partnership; provided, however, that such withheld amounts shall be distributed to the General Partner and Limited Partners as soon as practicable.

 

B.                                     Restoration of Deficit Capital Accounts upon Liquidation of the Partnership .  If any Partner has a deficit balance in its Capital Account (after giving effect to all contributions, distributions and allocations for all taxable years, including the year during which such liquidation occurs), such Partner shall have no obligation to make any contribution to the capital of the Partnership with respect to such deficit, and such deficit shall not be considered a debt owed to the Partnership or to any other Person for any purpose whatsoever, except as otherwise set forth in this Section 13.3.B , or as otherwise expressly agreed in writing by the affected Partner and the Partnership after the date hereof.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) if the General Partner has a deficit balance in its Capital Account (after giving effect to all contributions, distributions, and allocations for all Partnership years or portions thereof, including the year during which such liquidation occurs), the General Partner shall contribute to the capital of the Partnership the amount necessary to restore such deficit balance to zero in compliance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(b)(3); (ii) if a DRO Partner has a deficit balance in its Capital Account (after giving effect to all contributions, distributions, and allocations for all Partnership Years or portions thereof, including the year during which such liquidation occurs), such DRO Partner shall be obligated to make a contribution to the Partnership with respect to any such deficit balance in such DRO Partner’s Capital Account upon a liquidation of the Partnership in an amount equal to the lesser of such deficit balance or such DRO Partner’s DRO Amount; and (iii) the first sentence of this Section 13.3.B shall not apply with respect to any other Partner to the extent, but only to such extent, that such Partner previously has agreed in writing, with the consent of the General Partner, to undertake an express obligation to restore all or any portion of a deficit that may exist in its Capital Account upon a liquidation of the Partnership.  No Limited Partner shall have any right to become a DRO Partner, to increase its DRO Amount, or otherwise agree to restore any portion of any deficit that may exist in its Capital Account without the express written consent of the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion.  Any contribution required of a Partner under this Section 13.3.B

 

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shall be made on or before the later of (i) the end of the Partnership Year in which the interest is liquidated or (ii) the ninetieth (90th) day following the date of such liquidation.  The proceeds of any contribution to the Partnership made by a DRO Partner with respect to a deficit in such DRO Partner’s Capital Account balance shall be treated as a Capital Contribution by such DRO Partner and the proceeds thereof shall be treated as assets of the Partnership to be applied as set forth in Section 13.2.A .

 

C.                                     Restoration of Deficit Capital Accounts upon a Liquidation of a Partner’s Interest by Transfer .  If a DRO Partner’s interest in the Partnership is “liquidated” within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g) (other than in connection with a liquidation of the Partnership) which term shall include a redemption by the Partnership of such DRO Partner’s interest upon exercise of the Redemption Right, and such DRO Partner is designated on Exhibit E as a Part II DRO Partner, such DRO Partner shall be required to contribute cash to the Partnership equal to the lesser of (i) the amount required to increase its Capital Account balance as of such date to zero, or (ii) such DRO Partner’s DRO Amount.  For this purpose, (i) the DRO Partner’s deficit Capital Account balance shall be determined by taking into account all contributions, distributions, and allocations for the portion of the Fiscal Year ending on the date of the liquidation or redemption, and (ii) solely for purposes of determining such DRO Partner’s Capital Account balance, the General Partner shall redetermine the Carrying Value of the Partnership’s assets on such date based upon the principles set forth in Sections 1.D.(3)  and (4)  of Exhibit B hereto, and shall take into account the DRO Partner’s allocable share of any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss resulting from such redetermination in determining the balance of its Capital Account.  The amount of any payment required hereunder shall be due and payable within the time period specified in the second to last sentence of Section 13.3.B .

 

D.                                     Effect of the Death of a DRO Partner .  After the death of a DRO Partner who is an individual, the executor of the estate of such DRO Partner may elect to reduce (or eliminate) the DRO Amount of such DRO Partner.  Such elections may be made by such executor by delivering to the General Partner within two hundred and seventy (270) days of the death of such Limited Partner, a written notice setting forth the maximum deficit balance in its Capital Account that such executor agrees to restore under this Section 13.3 , if any.  If such executor does not make a timely election pursuant to this Section 13.3 (whether or not the balance in the applicable Capital Account is negative at such time), then the DRO Partner’s estate (and the beneficiaries thereof who receive distributions of Partnership Interests therefrom) shall be deemed a DRO Partner with a DRO Amount in the same amount as the deceased DRO Partner.  Any DRO Partner which itself is a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes may likewise elect, after the date of its partner’s death to reduce (or eliminate) its DRO Amount by delivering a similar notice to the General Partner within the time period specified above, and in the absence of any such notice the DRO Amount of such DRO Partner shall not be reduced to reflect the death of any of its partners.

 

Section 13.4                             Rights of Limited Partners

 

Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, each Limited Partner shall look solely to the assets of the Partnership for the return of its Capital Contributions and shall have no right or power to demand or receive property other than cash from the Partnership.  Except as otherwise

 

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expressly provided in this Agreement, no Limited Partner shall have priority over any other Limited Partner as to the return of its Capital Contributions, distributions, or allocations.

 

Section 13.5         Notice of Dissolution

 

If a Liquidating Event occurs or an event occurs that would, but for provisions of an election or objection by one or more Partners pursuant to Section 13.1 , result in a dissolution of the Partnership, the General Partner shall, within thirty (30) days thereafter, provide written notice thereof to each of the Partners and to all other parties with whom the Partnership regularly conducts business (as determined in the discretion of the General Partner).

 

Section 13.6         Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership

 

Upon the completion of the liquidation of the Partnership cash and property as provided in Section 13.2 , the Partnership shall be terminated and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all qualifications of the Partnership as a foreign limited partnership in jurisdictions other than the State of Delaware shall be canceled and such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Partnership shall be taken.

 

Section 13.7         Reasonable Time for Winding Up

 

A reasonable time shall be allowed for the orderly winding up of the business and affairs of the Partnership and the liquidation of its assets pursuant to Section 13.2 , to minimize any losses otherwise attendant upon such winding-up, and the provisions of this Agreement shall remain in effect among the Partners during the period of liquidation.

 

Section 13.8         Waiver of Partition

 

Each Partner hereby waives any right to partition of the Partnership property.

 

Section 13.9         Liability of Liquidator

 

The Liquidator shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Partnership in the same manner and to the same degree as an Indemnitee may be indemnified pursuant to Section 7.7 .

 

ARTICLE XIV

 

AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS

 

Section 14.1         Amendments

 

A.            General .  Amendments to this Agreement may be proposed by the General Partner or by any Limited Partner holding Partnership Interests representing twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the Percentage Interest of the Class A Units.  Following such proposal (except an amendment governed by Section 14.1.B ), the General Partner shall submit any proposed amendment to the Limited Partners.  The General Partner shall seek the written Consent of the Partners as set forth in this Section 14.1 on the proposed amendment or shall call a meeting to vote thereon and to transact any other business that it may deem appropriate.  For purposes of

 

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obtaining a written Consent, the General Partner may require a response within a reasonable specified time, but not less than fifteen (15) days, any failure to respond in such time period shall constitute a vote in favor of the recommendation of the General Partner.  A proposed amendment shall be adopted and be effective as an amendment hereto if it is approved by the General Partner and, except as provided in Section 14.1.B , 14.1.C or 14.1.D , it receives the Consent of the Partners holding Partnership Interests representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the Percentage Interest of the Class A Units (including Class A Units held by the Parent).

 

B.            Amendments Not Requiring Limited Partner Approval .  Notwithstanding Section 14.1.A but subject to Section 14.1.C , the General Partner shall have the power, without the Consent of the Limited Partners, to amend this Agreement as may be required to facilitate or implement any of the following purposes:

 

(1)           to add to the obligations of the General Partner or surrender any right or power granted to the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner for the benefit of the Limited Partners;

 

(2)           to reflect the admission, substitution, termination, or withdrawal of Partners in accordance with this Agreement (which may be effected through the replacement of the Partner Registry with an amended Partner Registry);

 

(3)           to set forth the designations, rights, powers, duties, and preferences of the holders of any additional Partnership Interests issued pursuant to Article IV ;

 

(4)           to reflect a change that does not adversely affect the Limited Partners in any material respect, or to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provision in this Agreement not inconsistent with law or with other provisions of this Agreement, or make other changes with respect to matters arising under this Agreement that will not be inconsistent with law or with the provisions of this Agreement;

 

(5)           to satisfy any requirements, conditions, or guidelines contained in any order, directive, opinion, ruling or regulation of a federal, state or local agency or contained in federal, state or local law;

 

(6)           to modify the method by which Partners’ Capital Accounts, or any debits or credits thereto, are computed, in each case in accordance with Section 1.E of Exhibit B to this Agreement; and

 

(7)           to include provisions in the Agreement that may be referenced in any rulings, regulations, notices, announcements, or other guidance regarding the U.S. federal income tax treatment of compensatory partnership interests issued and made effective after the date hereof or in connection with any elections that the General Partner determines to be necessary or advisable in respect of any such guidance.  Any such amendment may include, without limitation, (a) a provision authorizing or directing the General Partner to make any election under such guidance, (b) a covenant by the Partnership that all of the Partners must (I) comply with the such guidance and (II) take all actions (or, as the case may be, not take any action) necessary, including providing the Partnership with any required information, to permit the Partnership to comply with the requirements set forth or referred to in the Regulations for

 

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such election or other related guidance from the IRS, and (c) an amendment to the capital account maintenance provisions and the allocation provisions contained in Exhibit B or Exhibit C of this Agreement so that such provisions comply with (I) the provisions of the Code and the Regulations as they apply to the issuance of compensatory partnership interests and (II) the requirements of such guidance and any election made by the General Partner with respect thereto, including, a provision requiring “forfeiture allocations” as appropriate.

 

The General Partner shall notify the Limited Partners in writing when any action under this Section 14.1.B is taken in the next regular communication to the Limited Partners or within ninety (90) days of the date thereof, whichever is earlier.

 

C.            Amendments Requiring Limited Partner Approval (Excluding the Parent) .  Notwithstanding Sections 14.1.A and 14.1.B , without the Consent of the Outside Limited Partners, the General Partner shall not amend Section 4.2.A , Section 7.1.A (second sentence only), Section 7.5 , Section 7.6 , Section 7.8 , Section 7.11 , Section 11.2 , Section 13.1 , the last sentence of Section 11.4.A (provided, however, that no such amendment shall in any event adversely affect the rights of any lender who made a loan or who extended credit and received in connection therewith a pledge of Partnership Units prior to the date such amendment is adopted unless, and only to the extent such lender consents thereto), this Section 14.1.C or Section 14.2 .

 

D.            Other Amendments Requiring Certain Limited Partner Approval .  Notwithstanding anything in this Section 14.1 to the contrary, this Agreement shall not be amended with respect to any Partner adversely affected without the Consent of such Partner adversely affected or to any Assignee who is a bona fide financial institution that loans money or otherwise extends credit to a holder of Partnership Units that is adversely affected, but in either case only if such amendment would (i) convert such Limited Partner’s interest in the Partnership into a general partner’s interest, (ii) modify the limited liability of such Limited Partner, (iii) amend Section 7.11 , (iv) amend Article V or Article VI (except as permitted pursuant to Sections 4.2 , 5.4 , 6.2 and 14.1.B(3) ), (v) amend Section 8.6 or any defined terms set forth in Article I that relate to the Redemption Right (except as permitted in Section 8.6.E ), or (vi) amend Sections 11.3 or 11.5 , or add any additional restrictions to Section 11.6.E or amend Section 14.1.B(4)  or this Section 14.1.D .

 

E.            Amendment and Restatement of Partner Registry Not an Amendment .  Notwithstanding anything in this Article XIV or elsewhere in this Agreement to the contrary, any amendment and restatement of the Partner Registry by the General Partner to reflect events or changes otherwise authorized or permitted by this Agreement shall not be deemed an amendment of this Agreement and may be done at any time and from time to time, as determined by the General Partner without the Consent of the Limited Partners and without any notice requirement.

 

Section 14.2         Meetings of the Partners

 

A.            General .  Meetings of the Partners may be called by the General Partner and shall be called upon the receipt by the General Partner of a written request by Limited Partners holding Partnership Interests representing twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the Percentage Interest of the Class A Units (including Class A Units held by the Parent).  The call shall state the nature of the business to be transacted.  Notice of any such meeting shall be given to all

 

69



 

Partners not less than seven (7) days nor more than thirty (30) days prior to the date of such meeting.  Partners entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy at such meeting.  Whenever the vote or Consent of Partners is permitted or required under this Agreement, such vote or Consent may be given at a meeting of Partners or may be given in accordance with the procedure prescribed in Section 14.1.A .  Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the Consent of holders of Partnership Interests representing a majority of the Percentage Interests of the Class A Units shall control (including Class A Units held by the Parent).

 

B.            Actions Without a Meeting .  Except as otherwise expressly provided by this Agreement, any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Partners may be taken without a meeting if a written consent setting forth the action so taken is signed by Partners holding Partnership Interests representing more than fifty percent (50%) (or such other percentage as is expressly required by this Agreement) of the Percentage Interest of the Class A Units (including Class A Units held by the Parent).  Such consent may be in one instrument or in several instruments, and shall have the same force and effect as a vote of Partners.  Such consent shall be filed with the General Partner.  An action so taken shall be deemed to have been taken at a meeting held on the date on which written consents from the Partners holding the required Percentage Interest of the Class A Units have been filed with the General Partner.

 

C.            Proxy .  Each Limited Partner may authorize any Person or Persons to act for him by proxy on all matters in which a Limited Partner is entitled to participate, including waiving notice of any meeting, or voting or participating at a meeting.  Every proxy must be signed by the Limited Partner or its attorney-in-fact.  No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of eleven (11) months from the date thereof unless otherwise provided in the proxy.  Every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the Limited Partner executing it, such revocation to be effective upon the Partnership’s receipt of written notice thereof.

 

D.            Conduct of Meeting .  Each meeting of Partners shall be conducted by the General Partner or such other Person as the General Partner may appoint pursuant to such rules for the conduct of the meeting as the General Partner or such other Person deems appropriate.

 

ARTICLE XV

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Section 15.1         Addresses and Notice

 

Any notice, demand, request or report required or permitted to be given or made to a Partner or Assignee under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given or made when delivered in person, when sent by first class United States mail or by other means of written communication (including, but not limited to, via e-mail) to the Partner or Assignee at the address set forth in the Partner Registry or such other address as the Partners shall notify the General Partner in writing.

 

Section 15.2         Titles and Captions

 

All article or section titles or captions in this Agreement are for convenience only.  They shall not be deemed part of this Agreement and in no way define, limit, extend or describe the

 

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scope or intent of any provisions hereof.  Except as specifically provided otherwise, references to “Articles” “Sections” and “Exhibits” are to Articles, Sections and Exhibits of this Agreement.

 

Section 15.3         Pronouns and Plurals

 

Whenever the context may require, any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa.

 

Section 15.4         Further Action

 

The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.

 

Section 15.5         Binding Effect

 

This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.

 

Section 15.6         Creditors

 

Other than as expressly set forth herein with regard to any Indemnitee, none of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of, or shall be enforceable by, any creditor of the Partnership.

 

Section 15.7         Waiver

 

No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach or any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.

 

Section 15.8         Counterparts

 

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one agreement binding on all the parties hereto, notwithstanding that all such parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart.  Each party shall become bound by this Agreement immediately upon affixing its signature hereto.

 

Section 15.9         Applicable Law

 

This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law.

 

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Section 15.10       Invalidity of Provisions

 

If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected thereby.

 

Section 15.11       Power of Attorney

 

A.            General .  Each Limited Partner and each Assignee who accepts Partnership Units (or any rights, benefits or privileges associated therewith) is deemed to irrevocably constitute and appoint the General Partner, any Liquidator and authorized officers and attorneys-in-fact of each, and each of those acting singly, in each case with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority in its name, place and stead to:

 

(1)           execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record in the appropriate public offices (a) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including, without limitation, this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments or restatements thereof) that the General Partner or any Liquidator deems appropriate or necessary to form, qualify or continue the existence or qualification of the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) in the State of Delaware and in all other jurisdictions in which the Partnership may conduct business or own property, (b) all instruments that the General Partner or any Liquidator deem appropriate or necessary to reflect any amendment, change, modification or restatement of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, (c) all conveyances and other instruments or documents that the General Partner or any Liquidator deems appropriate or necessary to reflect the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including, without limitation, a certificate of cancellation, (d) all instruments relating to the admission, withdrawal, removal or substitution of any Partner pursuant to, or other events described in, Article XI , XII or XIII or the Capital Contribution of any Partner and (e) all certificates, documents and other instruments relating to the determination of the rights, preferences and privileges of Partnership Interests; and

 

(2)           execute, swear to, acknowledge and file all ballots, consents, approvals, waivers, certificates and other instruments appropriate or necessary, in the sole and absolute discretion of the General Partner or any Liquidator, to make, evidence, give, confirm or ratify any vote, consent, approval, agreement or other action which is made or given by the Partners hereunder or is consistent with the terms of this Agreement or appropriate or necessary, in the sole and absolute discretion of the General Partner or any Liquidator, to effectuate the terms or intent of this Agreement.

 

Nothing contained in this Section 15.11 shall be construed as authorizing the General Partner or any Liquidator to amend this Agreement except in accordance with Article XIV or as may be otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement.

 

B.            Irrevocable Nature .  The foregoing power of attorney is hereby declared to be irrevocable and a power coupled with an interest, in recognition of the fact that each of the Partners will be relying upon the power of the General Partner or any Liquidator to act as contemplated by this Agreement in any filing or other action by it on behalf of the Partnership,

 

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and it shall survive and not be affected by the subsequent Incapacity of any Limited Partner or Assignee and the transfer of all or any portion of such Limited Partner’s or Assignee’s Partnership Units and shall extend to such Limited Partner’s or Assignee’s heirs, successors, assigns and personal representatives.  Each such Limited Partner or Assignee hereby agrees to be bound by any representation made by the General Partner or any Liquidator, acting in good faith pursuant to such power of attorney; and each such Limited Partner or Assignee hereby waives any and all defenses which may be available to contest, negate or disaffirm the action of the General Partner or any Liquidator, taken in good faith under such power of attorney.  Each Limited Partner or Assignee shall execute and deliver to the General Partner or the Liquidator, within fifteen (15) days after receipt of the General Partner’s or Liquidator’s request therefor, such further designation, powers of attorney and other instruments as the General Partner or the Liquidator, as the case may be, deems necessary to effectuate this Agreement and the purposes of the Partnership.

 

Section 15.12       Entire Agreement

 

This Agreement contains the entire understanding and agreement among the Partners with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any prior written oral understandings or agreements among them with respect thereto.

 

Section 15.13       No Rights as Stockholders

 

Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as conferring upon the holders of the Partnership Units any rights whatsoever as stockholders of the Parent, including, without limitation, any right to receive dividends or other distributions made to stockholders of the Parent, or to vote or to consent or receive notice as stockholders in respect to any meeting of stockholders for the election of directors of the Parent or any other matter.

 

Section 15.14       Limitation to Preserve REIT Status

 

To the extent that any amount paid or credited to the Parent or the General Partner or any of their officers, directors, employees or agents pursuant to Sections 7.4 or 7.7 would constitute gross income to the Parent for purposes of Sections 856(c)(2) or 856(c)(3) of the Code (a “ General Partner Payment ”) then, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the amount of such General Partner Payment for any Fiscal Year shall not exceed the lesser of:

 

(i)            an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) 4% of the Parent’s total gross income (within the meaning of Section 856(c)(3) of the Code but not including the amount of any General Partner Payments) for the Fiscal Year which is described in subsections (A) though (H) of Section 856(c)(2) of the Code over (b) the amount of gross income (within the meaning of Section 856(c)(2) of the Code) derived by the Parent from sources other than those described in subsections (A) through (H) of Section 856(c)(2) of the Code (but not including the amount of any General Partner Payments); or

 

(ii)           an amount equal to the excess, if any of (a) 24% of the Parent’s total gross income (but not including the amount of any General Partner Payments) for the Fiscal Year which is described in subsections (A) through (I) of Section 856(c)(3) of the Code over (b) the amount of gross income (within the meaning of Section 856(c)(3) of the Code but not including

 

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the amount of any General Partner Payments) derived by the Parent from sources other than those described in subsections (A) through (I) of Section 856(c)(3) of the Code;

 

provided, however, that General Partner Payments in excess of the amounts set forth in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) above may be made if the Parent, as a condition precedent, obtains an opinion of tax counsel that the receipt of such excess amounts would not adversely affect the Parent’s ability to qualify as a REIT.  To the extent General Partner Payments may not be made in a given Fiscal Year due to the foregoing limitations, such General Partner Payments shall carry over and be treated as arising in the following year; provided, however, that such amounts shall not carry over for more than five (5) Fiscal Years, and if not paid within such five (5) Fiscal Year period, shall expire; and provided further that (i) as General Partner Payments are made, such payments shall be applied first to carry over amounts outstanding, if any, and (ii) with respect to carry over amounts for more than one Fiscal Year, such payments shall be applied to the earliest Fiscal Year first.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank, signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

 

GENERAL PARTNER:

 

 

 

Farmland Partners OP GP, LLC

 

 

 

By:

Farmland Partners Inc., its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Luca Fabbri

 

 

 

 

 

Name: Luca Fabbri

 

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer

 

 

 

 

LIMITED PARTNERS:

 

 

 

 

Pittman Hough Farms LLC, a Colorado limited liability company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Paul A. Pittman

 

 

 

 

 

Name: Paul A. Pittman

 

 

Title: Manager

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF PARTNER REGISTRY

 

 

 

CLASS A UNITS

 

Name And Address Of Partner

 

Partnership
Units

 

Initial Capital
Account

 

Percentage
Interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GENERAL PARTNER:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Farmland Partners OP GP, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIMITED PARTNERS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Farmland Partners Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NAME]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL CLASS A UNITS

 

 

 

 

 

100.00000

%

 



 

EXHIBIT B

 

CAPITAL ACCOUNT MAINTENANCE

 

1.                                       Capital Accounts of the Partners

 

A.                                     The Partnership shall maintain for each Partner a separate Capital Account in accordance with the rules of Regulations Section l.704-l(b)(2)(iv).  Such Capital Account shall be increased by (i) the amount of all Capital Contributions and any other deemed contributions made by such Partner to the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement and (ii) all items of Partnership income and gain (including income and gain exempt from tax) computed in accordance with Section 1.B and allocated to such Partner pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Agreement and Exhibit C thereof, and decreased by (x) the amount of cash or Agreed Value of property actually distributed or deemed to be distributed to such Partner pursuant to this Agreement and (y) all items of Partnership deduction and loss computed in accordance with Section 1.B and allocated to such Partner pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Agreement and Exhibit C thereof.

 

B.                                     For purposes of computing the amount of any item of income, gain, deduction or loss to be reflected in the Partners’ Capital Accounts, unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, the determination, recognition and classification of any such item shall be the same as its determination, recognition and classification for U.S. federal income tax purposes determined in accordance with Section 703(a) of the Code (for this purpose all items of income, gain, loss or deduction required to be stated separately pursuant to Section 703(a)(1) of the Code shall be included in taxable income or loss), with the following adjustments:

 

(1)                                  Except as otherwise provided in Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), the computation of all items of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be made without regard to any adjustments to the adjusted bases of the assets of the Partnership pursuant to Sections 734(b) and 743(b) of the Code, provided, however, that the amounts of any adjustments to the adjusted bases of the assets of the Partnership made pursuant to Section 734 of the Code as a result of the distribution of property by the Partnership to a Partner (to the extent that such adjustments have not previously been reflected in the Partners’ Capital Accounts) shall be reflected in the Capital Accounts of the Partners in the manner and subject to the limitations prescribed in Regulations Section l.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4).

 

(2)                                  The computation of all items of income, gain, and deduction shall be made without regard to the fact that items described in Sections 705(a)(l)(B) or 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code are not includible in gross income or are neither currently deductible nor capitalized for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

(3)                                  Any income, gain or loss attributable to the taxable disposition of any Partnership property shall be determined as if the adjusted basis of such property as of such date of disposition were equal in amount to the Partnership’s Carrying Value with respect to such property as of such date.

 



 

(4)                                  In lieu of the depreciation, amortization, and other cost recovery deductions taken into account in computing such taxable income or loss, there shall be taken into account Depreciation for such fiscal year.

 

(5)                                  In the event the Carrying Value of any Partnership asset is adjusted pursuant to Section 1.D , the amount of any such adjustment shall be taken into account as gain or loss from the disposition of such asset.

 

(6)                                  Any items specially allocated under Section 2 of Exhibit C to the Agreement hereof shall not be taken into account.

 

C.                                     A transferee (including any Assignee) of a Partnership Unit shall succeed to a pro rata portion of the Capital Account of the transferor in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(l).

 

D.                                     (1)                                  Consistent with the provisions of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), and as provided in Section 1.D(2), the Carrying Values of all Partnership assets shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property, as of the times of the adjustments provided in Section 1.D(2) , as if such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss had been recognized on an actual sale of each such property and allocated pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Agreement.

 

(2)                                  Such adjustments shall be made as of the following times: (a) immediately prior to the acquisition of an additional interest in the Partnership by any new or existing Partner in exchange for more than a de minimis Capital Contribution; (b) immediately prior to the distribution by the Partnership to a Partner of more than a de minimis amount of property as consideration for an interest in the Partnership; (c) immediately prior to the liquidation of the Partnership within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-l(b)(2)(ii)(g); (d) immediately prior to the grant of an interest in the Partnership (other than a de minimis interest) as consideration for the provision of services to or for the benefit of the Partnership; (e) immediately prior to the issuance by the Partnership of a noncompensatory option to acquire an interest in the Partnership (other than an option for a de minimis interest); and (f) at such other times as are permitted by applicable Regulations and as determined in the discretion of the General Partner; provided, however, that adjustments pursuant to clauses (a), (b), (d), (e) and (f) above shall be made only if the General Partner determines that such adjustments are necessary or appropriate to reflect the relative economic interests of the Partners in the Partnership or to comply with applicable Regulations; provided further, however, that the issuance of any LTIP Unit shall be deemed to require a revaluation pursuant to this Section 1.D.

 

(3)                                  In accordance with Regulations Section 1.704- l(b)(2)(iv)(e), the Carrying Value of Partnership assets distributed in kind shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property, as of the time any such asset is distributed.

 

(4)                                  In determining Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss for purposes of this Exhibit B , the aggregate cash amount and fair market value of all Partnership assets (including cash or cash equivalents) shall be determined by the General Partner using such reasonable

 

B-2



 

method of valuation as it may adopt, or in the case of a liquidating distribution pursuant to Article XIII of the Agreement, shall be determined and allocated by the Liquidator using such reasonable methods of valuation as it may adopt.  The General Partner, or the Liquidator, as the case may be, shall allocate such aggregate fair market value among the assets of the Partnership in such manner as it determines in its sole and absolute discretion to arrive at a fair market value for individual properties.

 

E.                                      The provisions of the Agreement (including this Exhibit B and the other Exhibits to the Agreement) relating to the maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended to comply with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b), and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such Regulations.  In the event the General Partner shall determine that it is prudent to modify the manner in which the Capital Accounts, or any debits or credits thereto (including, without limitation, debits or credits relating to liabilities which are secured by contributed or distributed property or which are assumed by the Partnership, the General Partner, or the Limited Partners) are computed in order to comply with such Regulations, the General Partner may make such modification without regard to Article XIV of the Agreement, provided that it is not likely to have a material effect on the amounts distributable to any Person pursuant to Article XIII of the Agreement upon the dissolution of the Partnership.  The General Partner also shall (i) make any adjustments that are necessary or appropriate to maintain equality between the Capital Accounts of the Partners and the amount of Partnership capital reflected on the Partnership’s balance sheet, as computed for book purposes, in accordance with Regulations Section l.704-l(b)(2)(iv)(q), and (ii) make any appropriate modifications in the event unanticipated events might otherwise cause this Agreement not to comply with Regulations Section l.704-1(b).

 

2.                                       No Interest

 

No interest shall be paid by the Partnership on Capital Contributions or on balances in Partners’ Capital Accounts.

 

3.                                       No Withdrawal

 

No Partner shall be entitled to withdraw any part of its Capital Contribution or Capital Account or to receive any distribution from the Partnership, except as provided in Articles IV , V , VII and XIII of the Agreement.

 

B-3



 

EXHIBIT C

 

SPECIAL ALLOCATION RULES

 

1.                                       Special Allocation Rules.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement or this Exhibit C, the following special allocations shall be made in the following order:

 

A.                                     Minimum Gain Chargeback .  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6.1 of the Agreement or any other provisions of this Exhibit C, if there is a net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain during any Fiscal Year, each Partner shall be specially allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such year (and, if necessary, subsequent years) in an amount equal to such Partner’s share of the net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain, as determined under Regulations Section 1.704-2(g).  Allocations pursuant to the previous sentence shall be made in proportion to the respective amounts required to be allocated to each Partner pursuant thereto.  The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(f)(6).  This Section 1.A is intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirements in Regulations Section 1.704-2(f) and for purposes of this Section 1.A only, each Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account Deficit shall be determined prior to any other allocations pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Agreement or this Exhibit C with respect to such Fiscal Year and without regard to any decrease in Partner Minimum Gain during such Fiscal Year.

 

B.                                     Partner Minimum Gain Chargeback .  Notwithstanding any other provision of Section 6.1 of this Agreement or any other provisions of this Exhibit C (except Section 1.A), if there is a net decrease in Partner Minimum Gain attributable to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt during any Fiscal Year, each Partner who has a share of the Partner Minimum Gain attributable to such Partner Nonrecourse Debt, determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(5), shall be specially allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such year (and, if necessary, subsequent years) in an amount equal to such Partner’s share of the net decrease in Partner Minimum Gain attributable to such Partner Nonrecourse Debt, determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(5).  Allocations pursuant to the previous sentence shall be made in proportion to the respective amounts required to be allocated to each General Partner and Limited Partner pursuant thereto.  The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4).  This Section 1.B is intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirement in such Section of the Regulations and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.  Solely for purposes of this Section 1.B, each Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account Deficit shall be determined prior to any other allocations pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Agreement or this Exhibit C with respect to such Fiscal Year, other than allocations pursuant to Section 1.A.

 

C.                                     Qualified Income Offset .  In the event any Partner unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations or distributions described in Regulations Sections 1.704-l(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), l.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5), or 1.704-l(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6), and after giving effect to the allocations required under Sections 1.A and 1.B with respect to such Fiscal Year, such Partner has an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit, items of Partnership income and gain (consisting of a pro rata portion of each item of Partnership income, including gross income and gain for the Fiscal Year)

 



 

shall be specifically allocated to such Partner in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by the Regulations, its Adjusted Capital Account Deficit created by such adjustments, allocations or distributions as quickly as possible.  This Section 1.C is intended to constitute a “qualified income offset” under Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

D.                                     Gross Income Allocation .  In the event that any Partner has an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit at the end of any Fiscal Year (after taking into account allocations to be made under the preceding paragraphs hereof with respect to such Fiscal Year), each such Partner shall be specially allocated items of Partnership income and gain (consisting of a pro rata portion of each item of Partnership income, including gross income and gain for the Fiscal Year) in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by the Regulations, its Adjusted Capital Account Deficit.

 

E.                                      Nonrecourse Deductions .  Except as may otherwise be expressly provided by the General Partner pursuant to Section 4.2 of the Agreement with respect to other classes of Partnership Units, Nonrecourse Deductions for any Fiscal Year shall be allocated only to the Partners holding Class A Units and Class B Units in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests.  If the General Partner determines in its good faith discretion that the Partnership’s Nonrecourse Deductions must be allocated in a different ratio to satisfy the safe harbor requirements of the Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the General Partner is authorized, upon notice to the Limited Partners, to revise the prescribed ratio for such Fiscal Year to the numerically closest ratio which would satisfy such requirements.

 

F.                                       Partner Nonrecourse Deductions .  Any Partner Nonrecourse Deductions for any Fiscal Year shall be specially allocated to the Partner who bears the economic risk of loss with respect to the Partner Nonrecourse Debt to which such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Regulations Sections 1.704-2(b)(4) and 1.704-2(i).

 

G.                                     Adjustments Pursuant to Code Section 734 and Section 743 .  To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-l(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis), and such item of gain or loss shall be specially allocated to the Partners in a manner consistent with the manner in which their Capital Accounts are required to be adjusted pursuant to such Section of the Regulations.

 

2.                                       Allocations for Tax Purposes

 

A.                                     Except as otherwise provided in this Section 2, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, each item of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as its correlative item of “book” income, gain, loss or deduction is allocated pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Agreement and Section 1 of this Exhibit C.

 

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B.                                     In an attempt to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities attributable to a Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, items of income, gain, loss, and deduction shall be allocated for U.S. federal income tax purposes among the Partners as follows:

 

(1)                                  (a)                                  In the case of a Contributed Property, such items attributable thereto shall be allocated among the Partners consistent with the principles of Section 704(c) of the Code to take into account the variation between the Section 704(c) Value of such property and its adjusted basis at the time of contribution (taking into account Section 2.C of this Exhibit C); and

 

(b)                                  any item of Residual Gain or Residual Loss attributable to a Contributed Property shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as its correlative item of “book” gain or loss is allocated pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Agreement and Section 1 of this Exhibit C.

 

(2)                                  (a)                                  In the case of an Adjusted Property, such items shall

 

(i)                                      first, be allocated among the Partners in a manner consistent with the principles of Section 704(c) of the Code to take into account the Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such property and the allocations thereof pursuant to Exhibit B;

 

(ii)                                   second, in the event such property was originally a Contributed Property, be allocated among the Partners in a manner consistent with Section 2.B(1) of this Exhibit C; and

 

(b)                                  any item of Residual Gain or Residual Loss attributable to an Adjusted Property shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner its correlative item of “book” gain or loss is allocated pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Agreement and Section 1 of this Exhibit C.

 

(3)                                  all other items of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as their correlative item of “book” gain or loss is allocated pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Agreement and Section 1 of this Exhibit C.

 

C.                                     To the extent Regulations promulgated pursuant to Section 704(c) of the Code permit a Partnership to utilize alternative methods to eliminate the disparities between the Carrying Value of property and its adjusted basis, the General Partner shall have the authority to elect the method to be used by the Partnership and such election shall be binding on all Partners.

 

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EXHIBIT D

 

NOTICE OF REDEMPTION

 

The undersigned hereby irrevocably (i) redeems                    Partnership Units in Farmland Partners Operating Partnership, LP (the “Partnership”) in accordance with the terms of the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, as amended, and the Redemption Right referred to therein, (ii) surrenders such Partnership Units and all right, title and interest therein and (iii) directs that the Cash Amount or Shares Amount (as determined by the General Partner) deliverable upon exercise of the Redemption Right be delivered to the address specified below, and if Shares are to be delivered, such Shares be registered or placed in the name(s) and at the address(es) specified below.  The undersigned hereby represents, warrants, and certifies that the undersigned (a) has marketable and unencumbered title to such Partnership Units, free and clear of the rights of or interests of any other person or entity, (b) has the full right, power and authority to redeem and surrender such Partnership Units as provided herein and (c) has obtained the consent or approval of all persons or entities, if any, having the right to consult or approve such redemption and surrender. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership.

 

Dated:

 

 

Name of Limited Partner:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Signature of Limited Partner)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Street Address)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(City)           (State)             (Zip Code)

 

 

 

 

 

Signature Guaranteed by:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IF SHARES ARE TO BE ISSUED, ISSUE TO:

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Social Security or tax identifying number:

 

 

 

 



 

EXHIBIT E

 

FORM OF DRO REGISTRY

 

 

DRO AMOUNT

 

PART I DRO PARTNERS

 

 

 

 

 

PART II DRO PARTNERS

 

 

 



 

EXHIBIT F

 

NOTICE OF ELECTION BY PARTNER TO CONVERT
LTIP UNITS INTO CLASS A UNITS

 

The undersigned holder of LTIP Units hereby irrevocably (i) elects to convert                   LTIP Units in Farmland Partners Operating Partnership, LP (the “Partnership”) into Class A Units in accordance with the terms of the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, as amended; and (ii) directs that any cash in lieu of Class A Units that may be deliverable upon such conversion be delivered to the address specified below.  The undersigned hereby represents, warrants, and certifies that the undersigned (a) has title to such LTIP Units, free and clear of the rights or interests of any other person or entity other than the Partnership; (b) has the full right, power, and authority to cause the conversion of such LTIP Units as provided herein; and (c) has obtained the consent to or approval of all persons or entities, if any, having the right to consent or approve such conversion. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership.

 

Dated:

 

 

Name of Limited Partner:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Signature of Limited Partner)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Street Address)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(City)           (State)             (Zip Code)

 

 

 

 

 

Signature Guaranteed by:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

EXHIBIT G

 

NOTICE OF ELECTION BY PARTNERSHIP TO FORCE CONVERSION OF
LTIP UNITS INTO CLASS A UNITS

 

Farmland Partners Operating Partnership, LP (the “Partnership”) hereby irrevocably elects to cause the number of LTIP Units held by the holder of LTIP Units set forth below to be converted into Class A Units in accordance with the terms of the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, as amended (the “Agreement”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Agreement.

 

Name of Holder:

 

Date of this Notice:

 

Number of LTIP Units to be Converted:

 

Please Print: Exact Name as Registered with Partnership

 


EXHIBIT 10.2

 

FARMLAND PARTNERS INC.

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) dated as of April 16, 2014, between Farmland Partners Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Farmland ”) and Farmland Partners Operating Partnership, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Operating Partnership ” and, together with Farmland, the “ Company ”), each with its principal place of business at 8670 Wolff Court, Suite 240, Westminster, CO 80031, and Paul A. Pittman residing at the address on file with the Company (the “ Employee ”).

 

W   I   T   N   E   S   S   E   T   H

 

WHEREAS , Farmland is the sole member of the general partner of the Operating Partnership;

 

WHEREAS , the parties desire to enter into this Agreement to reflect the Employee’s executive capacities in the Company’s business and to provide for the Company’s employment of the Employee; and

 

WHEREAS , the parties wish to set forth the terms and conditions of that employment.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, of the mutual promises contained herein and of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

1.                                       POSITION AND DUTIES.

 

(a)                                  During the Employment Term (as defined in Section 2 hereof), the Employee shall serve as the Executive Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.  In this capacity, the Employee shall have the duties, authorities and responsibilities as are required by the Employee’s position commensurate with the duties, authorities and responsibilities of persons in similar capacities in similarly sized companies, and such other duties, authorities and responsibilities as may reasonably be assigned to the Employee as the Board of Directors of Farmland (the “Board”) shall designate from time to time that are not inconsistent with the Employee’s position with the Company and that are consistent with the bylaws of the Company and the amended and restated agreement of limited partnership of the Operating Partnership as it may be further amended from time to time, including, but not limited to, managing the affairs of the Company.  The Employee shall report directly to the Board.

 

(b)                                  During the Employment Term, the Employee shall devote substantially all of the Employee’s business time, energy, business judgment, knowledge and skill and the Employee’s best efforts to the performance of the Employee’s duties with the Company, provided that the foregoing shall not prevent the Employee from (i) serving on the boards of directors of non-profit organizations, (ii) participating in charitable, civic, educational, professional, community or industry affairs, and (iii) managing the Employee’s personal investments and/or personal business as necessary, so long as such activities in the aggregate do not interfere or conflict with the Employee’s duties hereunder or create a potential business or fiduciary conflict.

 



 

(c)                                   The Board shall take such action as may be necessary to appoint or elect the Employee as a member of the Board as of the Effective Date (as defined in Section 2 hereof).  Thereafter, during the Employment Term, the Board shall nominate the Employee for re-election as a member of the Board at the expiration of the then current term, provided that the foregoing shall not be required if any of the events constituting Cause (as defined herein) have occurred and have not been cured or to the extent prohibited by legal or regulatory requirements. If the Employee is so nominated and elected to the Board, the Employee hereby agrees to serve as a member of the Board.

 

2.                                 EMPLOYMENT TERM.  The Company agrees to employ the Employee pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and the Employee agrees to be so employed, for a term of three years (the “ Initial Term ”) commencing as of the date hereof (the “ Effective Date ”).  Commencing with the last day of the Initial Term, and on each subsequent anniversary of such date, the term of this Agreement shall be automatically extended for successive one-year periods, provided , however , that either party hereto may elect not to extend this Agreement by giving written notice to the other party at least sixty (60) days prior to any such anniversary date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employee’s employment hereunder may be earlier terminated in accordance with Section 7   hereof, subject to Section 8 hereof.  The period of time between the Effective Date and the end of the Initial Term and any successor terms (or earlier upon a termination of the Employee’s employment hereunder) shall be referred to herein as the “ Employment Term .” If the Employee’s employment continues following any expiration of the Employment Term due to either party giving notice not to extend this Agreement, such employment will be entirely “at-will,” and will not be covered by this Agreement (except for the applicable restrictive covenant provisions, which are intended to survive expiration of the Agreement in all cases).

 

3.                                       BASE SALARY.   The Company agrees to pay the Employee a base salary at an annual rate of not less than $400,000, payable in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Company, but not less frequently than monthly.  The Employee’s Base Salary shall be subject to annual review by the Board (or a committee thereof), and may be adjusted from time to time by the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “ Compensation Committee ”) in its sole discretion.  The base salary as determined herein and adjusted from time to time shall constitute “ Base Salary ” for purposes of this Agreement.

 

4.                                       ANNUAL BONUS.  During the Employment Term, the Employee shall be eligible to receive an annual discretionary incentive payment under the Company’s annual bonus plan as may be in effect from time to time (the “ Annual Bonus ”) based on a percentage of the Employee’s Base Salary (the “ Target Bonus ”), upon the attainment of one or more pre-established performance goals established by the Board or the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion.

 

5.                                       EQUITY AWARDS.  The Employee shall be considered to receive equity and other long-term incentive awards (including long-term incentive units in the Operating Partnership) under any applicable plan adopted by the Company during the Employment Term.

 

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6.                                       EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.

 

(a)                                  BENEFIT PLANS.  During the Employment Term, the Employee shall be entitled to participate in any employee benefit plan that the Company has adopted or may adopt, maintain or contribute to for the benefit of its employees generally, subject to satisfying the applicable eligibility requirements, except to the extent such plans are duplicative of the benefits otherwise provided hereunder.  The Employee’s participation will be subject to the terms of the applicable plan documents and generally applicable Company policies.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may modify or terminate any employee benefit plan at any time.

 

(b)                                  VACATIONS.  During the Employment Term, the Employee shall be entitled to paid vacation per calendar year (as prorated for partial years) in accordance with the Company’s policy on accrual and use applicable to employees as in effect from time to time.

 

(c)                                   BUSINESS AND ENTERTAINMENT EXPENSES.  Upon presentation of reasonable substantiation and documentation as the Company may specify from time to time, the Employee shall be reimbursed in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy, for all reasonable out-of-pocket business and entertainment expenses incurred and paid by the Employee during the Employment Term and in connection with the performance of the Employee’s duties hereunder.

 

7.                                       TERMINATION.   The Employee’s employment and the Employment Term shall terminate on the first of the following to occur:

 

(a)                                  DISABILITY.  Upon ten (10) days’ prior written notice by the Company to the Employee of termination due to Disability.  For purposes of this Agreement, “ Disability ” shall be defined as the inability of the Employee to have performed the Employee’s material duties hereunder due to a physical or mental injury, infirmity or incapacity for one hundred eighty (180) days (including weekends and holidays) in any 365-day period as determined by the Board in its reasonable discretion.

 

(b)                                  DEATH.   Automatically upon the date of death of the Employee.

 

(c)                                   CAUSE.  Immediately upon written notice by the Company to the Employee of a termination for Cause.  “ Cause ” shall mean:

 

(i)                                      Employee’s continued failure to substantially perform duties, or gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with the performance of the Employee’s duties to the Company;

 

(ii)                                   Employee’s conviction or plea of guilty or nolo contendere of a felony;

 

(iii)                                Employee’s conviction of any other criminal offense involving an act of dishonesty intended to result in substantial personal enrichment of Employee at the expense of the Company or an affiliate of the Company; or

 

(iv)                               Employee’s material breach of any Company policy or term of this Agreement or any other employment, consulting or other services, confidentiality, intellectual property or non-competition agreements, if any, between the Employee and the Company or an affiliate of the Company.

 

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Any determination of Cause by the Company will be made by a resolution approved by a majority of the members of the Board, provided that no such determination may be made until the Employee has been given written notice detailing the specific Cause event, an opportunity to appear before the full Board with legal counsel, and a period of thirty (30) days following receipt of such notice to cure such event (if susceptible to cure) to the satisfaction of the Board.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Employee’s right to cure and appear before the full Board with legal counsel as set forth in the preceding sentence shall not apply if there are habitual or repeated breaches by the Employee.

 

(d)                                  WITHOUT CAUSE.   Immediately upon written notice by the Company to the Employee of an involuntary termination without Cause (other than for death or Disability).

 

(e)                                   GOOD REASON.  Upon written notice by the Employee to the Company of a termination for Good Reason.  “ Good Reason ” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events, without the express written consent of the Employee, unless such events are fully corrected in all material respects by the Company within thirty (30) days following written notification by the Employee to the Company of the occurrence of one of the following:

 

(i)                                      material diminution in the Employee’s Base Salary or Target Bonus considered as a whole (as the same may be in effect from time to time);

 

(ii)                                   material diminution in the Employee’s duties, authorities or responsibilities (other than temporarily while physically or mentally incapacitated or as required by applicable law); or

 

(iii)                                the Company’s material breach of the terms of this Agreement.

 

The Employee shall provide the Company with a written notice detailing the specific circumstances alleged to constitute Good Reason within ninety (90) days after the first occurrence of such circumstances that the Employee knows or reasonably should have known to constitute Good Reason, and actually terminate employment within thirty (30) days following the expiration of the Company’s thirty (30)-day cure period described above.  The failure by the Employee to provide written notice in detail of the circumstances constituting “Good Reason” within the time period set forth in the preceding sentence shall result in the Employee being deemed not to have terminated employment for Good Reason and to have irrevocably waived any claim of such circumstances constituting Good Reason under this Agreement.

 

(f)                                    WITHOUT GOOD REASON.  Upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice by the Employee to the Company of the Employee’s voluntary termination of employment without Good Reason (which the Company may, in its sole discretion, make effective earlier than any notice date).

 

(g)                                   EXPIRATION OF EMPLOYMENT TERM; NON-EXTENSION OF AGREEMENT.  Upon the expiration of the Employment Term due to a non-extension of the Agreement by the Company or the Employee pursuant to the provisions of Section 2 hereof.

 

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8.                                       CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION.

 

(a)                                  DEATH.  In the event that the Employee’s employment and the Employment Term end on account of the Employee’s death, the Employee or the Employee’s estate, as the case may be, shall be entitled to a lump sum payment of the following within sixty (60) days following termination of employment, or such earlier date as may be required by applicable law:

 

(i)                                      any unpaid Base Salary through the termination date;

 

(ii)                                   any Annual Bonus earned and accrued but unpaid;

 

(iii)                                any accrued but unused vacation time in accordance with Company policy; and

 

(iv)                               reimbursement for any unreimbursed business expenses incurred through the termination date (collectively, Sections 8(a)(i)  through 8(a)(iv)  hereof shall be hereafter referred to as the “ Accrued Benefits ”).

 

(b)                                  DISABILITY.   In the event that the Employee’s employment and/or Employment Term ends on account of the Employee’s Disability, the Company shall pay or provide the Employee with the following:

 

(i)                                      the Accrued Benefits; and

 

(ii)                                   subject to (A) the Employee’s timely election of continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“ COBRA ”) and (B) the Employee’s continued compliance with the obligations in Sections 9 and 10 hereof, Employee shall be reimbursed for the amount equal to the COBRA continuation coverage premiums paid by the Employee that is required for coverage of the Employee (or his eligible dependents) under the Company’s major medical group health plan, for a period of eighteen (18) months, or, if less, until the Employee or his eligible dependents are no longer entitled to such COBRA coverage.

 

(c)                                   TERMINATION FOR CAUSE OR WITHOUT GOOD REASON OR AS A RESULT OF EMPLOYEE NON-EXTENSION OF THIS AGREEMENT.  If the Employee’s employment and the Employment Term are terminated (x) by the Company for Cause, (y) by the Employee without Good Reason, or (z) as a result of the Employee’s non-extension of the Employment Term as provided in Section 2 hereof, the Company shall pay to the Employee the Accrued Benefits.

 

(d)                                  TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE OR FOR GOOD REASON; TERMINATION AS A RESULT OF COMPANY NON-EXTENSION OF THIS AGREEMENT.  If the Employee’s employment and the Employment Term are terminated (x) by the Company other than for Cause (other than death or Disability), (y) by the Employee for Good Reason, or (z) as a result of the Company’s non-extension of the Employment Term as provided in Section 2 hereof and Employee was willing and able to remain employed, the Company shall pay or provide the Employee with the following:

 

(i)                                      the Accrued Benefits;

 

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(ii)                                   subject to the Employee’s continued compliance with the obligations in Sections 9 and 10 hereof, an amount equal to three (3) times the sum of (A) the Base Salary in effect on the termination date, (B) the average Annual Bonus earned by the Employee for the two (2) Company fiscal years ending during the Employment Period and immediately preceding the Company fiscal year in which such termination occurs (regardless of whether such amount was paid out on a current basis or deferred), plus (C) the average Equity Award Value (as defined below) of the two (2) most recent Annual Grants (as defined below) made to the Employee by Farmland, paid monthly in equal installments for a period of twelve (12) months following such termination; provided that to the extent that the payment of any amount constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A (as defined in Section 22 hereof), any such payment scheduled to occur during the first sixty (60) days following the termination of employment shall not be paid until the first regularly scheduled pay period following the sixtieth (60 th ) day following such termination and shall include payment of any amount that was otherwise scheduled to be paid prior thereto;

 

(iii)                                subject to (A) the Employee’s timely election of continuation coverage under COBRA and (B) the Employee’s continued compliance with the obligations in Sections 9 and 10 hereof, Employee shall be reimbursed for the amount equal to the COBRA continuation coverage premiums paid by the Employee that is required for coverage of the Employee (or his eligible dependents) under the Company’s major medical group health plan, for a period of eighteen (18) months, or, if less, until the Employee or his eligible dependents are no longer entitled to such COBRA coverage; and

 

(iv)                               all of the Employee’s equity-based awards that are outstanding on the termination date shall immediately become fully vested and, as applicable, exercisable, without any action by the Board or Compensation Committee; provided , however , that to the extent an award is intended to qualify as performance-based compensation for purposes of Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m), such award shall not vest as a result of the termination of the Employee’s employment and shall, instead, remain outstanding after such termination and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable award agreement and plan document (other than continued employment).

 

Payments and benefits provided in this Section 8(d)  shall be in lieu of any termination or severance payments or benefits for which the Employee may be eligible under any of the plans, policies or programs of the Company or under the Worker Adjustment Retraining Notification Act of 1988 or any similar state statute or regulation.

 

For purposes of Section 8(d)(ii)(B) , in the event that the Employee’s termination occurs prior to the end of the completion of two (2) Company fiscal years during the Employment Term, then the amount in Section 8(d)(ii)(B)  shall be determined by using the Employee’s Target Bonus for any such fiscal year not yet completed, together with Annual Bonus actually earned by the Executive for the fiscal year completed during the Employment Term (if any), annualized for any such partial fiscal year.

 

For purposes of Section 8(d)(ii)(C) , in the event that the Employee’s termination occurs prior Executive receiving two (2) Annual Grants, then the amount in Section 8(d)(ii)(C)  shall be

 

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determined based on the Equity Award Value of Annual Grants made to the Employee during the Employment Term prior to the Employee’s termination (if any).

 

For purposes of this Agreement:

 

Equity Award Value ” means (x) with respect to options and stock appreciation rights, the grant date fair value, as computed in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation (or any successor accounting standard), and (y) with respect to equity-based awards other than options and stock appreciation rights, the product of (1) the number of shares or units subject to such award, times (2) the “fair market value” of a share of Farmland’s common stock on the date of grant as determined under the plan under which such award was granted; and

 

Annual Grant ” means the grant of equity-based awards that constitute a component of a given year’s annual compensation package and shall not include any isolated, one-off or non-recurring grant outside of the Employee’s annual compensation package, such as (but not limited to) an initial hiring award, a retention award, an award that relates to multi-year or other long-term performance, an outperformance award or other similar award, in any event, as determined in the sole discretion of the Board or the Compensation Committee.

 

(e)                                   CODE SECTION 280G.  If the Employee is a “disqualified individual,” as defined in Code Section 280G(c), then, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or of any other agreement, contract, or understanding heretofore or hereafter entered into by the Employee with the Company (an “ Other Agreement ”), and notwithstanding any formal or informal plan or other arrangement for the direct or indirect provision of compensation to the Employee (including groups or classes of employees or beneficiaries of which the Employee is a member), whether or not such compensation is deferred, is in cash, or is in the form of a benefit to or for the Employee (a “ Benefit Arrangement ”), any right to exercise, vesting, payment or benefit to the Employee under this Agreement, any Other Agreement and/or any Benefit Arrangement shall be reduced or eliminated:

 

(i)                                      to the extent that such right to exercise, vesting, payment, or benefit, taking into account all other rights, payments, or benefits to or for the Employee under this Agreement, all Other Agreements, and all Benefit Arrangements, would cause any exercise, vesting, payment or benefit to the Employee under this Agreement to be considered a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Code Section 280G(b)(2) as then in effect (a “ Parachute Payment ”); and

 

(ii)                                   if, as a result of receiving such Parachute Payment, the aggregate after-tax amounts received by the Employee from the Company under this Agreement, all Other Agreements, and all Benefit Arrangements would be less than the maximum after-tax amount that could be received by the Employee without causing any such payment or benefit to be considered a Parachute Payment.

 

The Company shall accomplish such reduction by first reducing or eliminating any cash payments (with the payments to be made furthest in the future being reduced first), then by reducing or eliminating any accelerated vesting of performance awards, then by reducing or

 

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eliminating any accelerated vesting of options or stock appreciation rights, then by reducing or eliminating any accelerated vesting of restricted stock or stock units, then by reducing or eliminating any other remaining Parachute Payments.

 

(f)                                    OTHER OBLIGATIONS.  Upon any termination of the Employee’s employment with the Company, unless otherwise specified in a written agreement between the Company and the Employee, the Employee shall be deemed to have resigned from the Board and any other position as an officer, director or fiduciary of the Company and its affiliates, and shall take any and all actions reasonably requested by the Company to effectuate the foregoing.

 

(g)                                   EXCLUSIVE REMEDY.  The amounts payable to the Employee following termination of employment and the Employment Term hereunder pursuant to Sections 7 and 8 hereof shall be in full and complete satisfaction of the Employee’s rights under this Agreement and any other claims that the Employee may have in respect of the Employee’s employment with the Company or any of its affiliates, and the Employee acknowledges that such amounts are fair and reasonable, and are the Employee’s sole and exclusive remedy, in lieu of all other remedies at law or in equity, with respect to the termination of the Employee’s employment hereunder or any breach of this Agreement.

 

9.                                       RELEASE.  Any and all amounts payable and benefits or additional rights provided pursuant to this Agreement beyond the Accrued Benefits shall only be payable if the Employee delivers to the Company and does not revoke a general release of claims in favor of the Company in substantially the form attached on Exhibit A hereto. Such release shall be executed and delivered (and no longer subject to revocation, if applicable) within sixty (60) days following termination.

 

10.                                RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS.

 

(a)                                  CONFIDENTIALITY.   During the course of the Employee’s employment with the Company, the Employee will have access to Confidential Information.  For purposes of this Agreement, “ Confidential Information ” means all data, information, ideas, concepts, discoveries, trade secrets, inventions (whether or not patentable or reduced to practice), innovations, improvements, know-how, developments, techniques, methods, processes, treatments, drawings, sketches, specifications, designs, plans, patterns, models, plans and strategies, and all other confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets in any form or medium (whether merely remembered or embodied in a tangible or intangible form or medium) whether now or hereafter existing, relating to or arising from the past, current or potential business, activities and/or operations of the Company or any of its affiliates, including, without limitation, any such information relating to or concerning finances, sales, marketing, advertising, transition, promotions, pricing, personnel, customers, suppliers, vendors, raw partners and/or competitors.  The Employee agrees that the Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, use, make available, sell, disclose or otherwise communicate to any person, other than in the course of the Employee’s assigned duties and for the benefit of the Company, either during the period of the Employee’s employment or at any time thereafter, any Confidential Information or other confidential or proprietary information received from third parties subject to a duty on the Company’s and its affiliates’ part to maintain the confidentiality of such information, and to use such information only for certain limited purposes, in each case, which shall have been obtained

 

8



 

by the Employee during the Employee’s employment by the Company (or any predecessor).  The foregoing shall not apply to information that (i) was known to the public prior to its disclosure to the Employee; (ii) becomes generally known to the public subsequent to disclosure to the Employee through no wrongful act of the Employee or any representative of the Employee; or (iii) the Employee is required to disclose by applicable law, regulation or legal process (provided that the Employee provides the Company with prior notice of the contemplated disclosure and cooperates with the Company at its expense in seeking a protective order or other appropriate protection of such information).

 

(b)                                  NONCOMPETITION.  The Employee acknowledges that (i) the Employee performs services of a unique nature for the Company that are irreplaceable, and that the Employee’s performance of such services to a competing business will result in irreparable harm to the Company, (ii) the Employee has had and will continue to have access to Confidential Information which, if disclosed, would unfairly and inappropriately assist in competition against the Company or any of its affiliates, (iii) in the course of the Employee’s employment by a competitor, the Employee would inevitably use or disclose such Confidential Information, (iv) the Company and its affiliates have substantial relationships with their customers and the Employee has had and will continue to have access to these customers, (v) the Employee has received and will receive specialized training from the Company and its affiliates, and (vi) the Employee has generated and will continue to generate goodwill for the Company and its affiliates in the course of the Employee’s employment.  Accordingly, during the Employee’s employment and (A) if the Employee’s employment and the Employment Term are terminated by the Company for Cause, by the Employee without Good Reason or as a result of the Employee’s non-extension of the Employment Term as provided in Section 2 hereof, for a period of one (1) year thereafter, or (B) if the Employee’s employment and the Employment Term are terminated by the Company other than for Cause, by the Employee for Good Reason or as a result of the Company’s non-extension of the Employment Term as provided in Section 2 hereof and Employee was willing and able to remain employed, for a period of six (6) months thereafter, the Employee agrees that the Employee will not, directly or indirectly, own, manage, operate, control, be employed by (whether as an employee, consultant, independent contractor or otherwise, and whether or not for compensation) or render services to (i) any person, firm, corporation or other entity, in whatever form, with a class of securities listed on a national securities exchange, engaged in the business of owning and leasing agricultural real estate or in any other material business in which the Company or any of its affiliates is engaged on the termination date or in which they have planned, on or prior to such date, to be engaged in on or after such date, in any locale of any country in which the Company conducts business or (ii) any person, firm, corporation or other entity, in whatever form, with assets under management or committed capital in excess of $50,000,000, engaged in the business of owning and leasing agricultural real estate or in any other material business in which the Company or any of its affiliates is engaged on the termination date or in which they have planned, on or prior to such date, to be engaged in on or after such date, in any locale of any country in which the Company conducts business.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prohibit the Employee from (i) being a passive owner of not more than one percent (1%) of the equity securities of a publicly traded corporation engaged in a business that is in competition with the Company or any of its affiliates, so long as the Employee has no active participation in the business of such corporation or (ii) owning, managing, operating, controlling, or being employed by any firm, corporation or other entity in the same capacity in which the Employee was engaged

 

9



 

immediately prior to the Termination of the Employee’s employment hereunder, as long as (a) the Board has been apprised of the identity of, and the Employee’s role with, such firm, corporation or other entity and (b) the Board has previously approved the Employee’s role with such firm, corporation or other entity, in the case of both (a) and (b), prior to the Employee’s termination of employment.  In addition, the provisions of this Section 10(b)  shall not be violated by the Employee commencing employment with a subsidiary, division or unit of any entity that engages in a business in competition with the Company or any of its affiliates so long as the Employee and such subsidiary, division or unit does not engage in a business in competition with the Company or any of its affiliates.

 

(c)                                   NONSOLICITATION; NONINTERFERENCE.  (i)  During the Employee’s employment with the Company and (A) if the Employee’s employment and the Employment Term are terminated by the Company for Cause, by the Employee without Good Reason or as a result of the Employee’s non-extension of the Employment Term as provided in Section 2 hereof, for a period of one (1) year thereafter, or (B) if the Employee’s employment and the Employment Term are terminated by the Company other than for Cause, by the Employee for Good Reason or as a result of the Company’s non-extension of the Employment Term as provided in Section 2 hereof and Employee was willing and able to remain employed, for a period of six (6) months thereafter, the Employee agrees that the Employee shall not, except in the furtherance of the Employee’s duties hereunder, directly or indirectly, individually or on behalf of any other person, firm, corporation or other entity, solicit, aid or induce any customer of the Company or any of its affiliates to purchase goods or services then sold by the Company or any of its affiliates from another person, firm, corporation or other entity or assist or aid any other persons or entity in identifying or soliciting any such customer.

 

(ii)                                   During the Employee’s employment with the Company and (A) if the Employee’s employment and the Employment Term are terminated by the Company for Cause, by the Employee without Good Reason or as a result of the Employee’s non-extension of the Employment Term as provided in Section 2 hereof, for a period of one (1) year thereafter, or (B) if the Employee’s employment and the Employment Term are terminated by the Company other than for Cause, by the Employee for Good Reason or as a result of the Company’s non-extension of the Employment Term as provided in Section 2 hereof and Employee was willing and able to remain employed, for a period of six (6) months thereafter, the Employee agrees that the Employee shall not, except in the furtherance of the Employee’s duties hereunder, directly or indirectly, individually or on behalf of any other person, firm, corporation or other entity, (A) solicit, aid or induce any employee, representative or agent of the Company or any of its affiliates to leave such employment or retention or to accept employment with or render services to or with any other person, firm, corporation or other entity unaffiliated with the Company or hire or retain any such employee, representative or agent, or take any action to materially assist or aid any other person, firm, corporation or other entity in identifying, hiring or soliciting any such employee, representative or agent, or (B) interfere, or aid or induce any other person or entity in interfering, with the relationship between the Company or any of its affiliates and any of their respective vendors, joint venturers, licensors or tenants.  An employee, representative or agent shall be deemed covered by this Section 10(c)(ii)  while so employed or retained and for a period of six (6) months thereafter.

 

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(iii)                               Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Section 10(c) shall not be violated by (A) general advertising or solicitation not specifically targeted at Company-related persons or entities, (B) the Employee serving as a reference, upon request, for any employee of the Company or any of its affiliates so long as such reference is not for an entity that is employing or retaining the Employee , or (C) actions taken by any person or entity with which the Employee is associated if the Employee is not personally involved in any manner in the matter and has not identified such Company-related person or entity for soliciting or hiring.

 

(d)                                 NONDISPARAGMENT.  The Employee agrees not to make negative comments or otherwise disparage the Company or its officers, directors, employees, shareholders, agents or products other than in the good faith performance of the Employee’s duties to the Company while the Employee is employed by the Company.  The Company hereby covenants and agrees that it shall not, directly or indirectly, make or solicit or encourage others to make or solicit any negative comments or otherwise disparaging remarks concerning the Employee. The foregoing shall not be violated by truthful statements in response to legal process, required governmental testimony or filings, or administrative or arbitral proceedings (including, without limitation, depositions in connection with such proceedings).

 

(e)                                  RETURN OF COMPANY PROPERTY.  On the date of the Employee’s termination of employment with the Company for any reason (or at any time prior thereto at the Company’s request), the Employee shall return all property belonging to the Company or its affiliates (including, but not limited to, any Company-provided laptops, computers, cell phones, wireless electronic mail devices or other equipment, or documents and property belonging to the Company).  The Employee may retain the Employee’s rolodex and similar address books provided that such items only include contact information.

 

(f)                                   REASONABLENESS OF COVENANTS.  In signing this Agreement, the Employee gives the Company assurance that the Employee has carefully read and considered all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the restraints imposed under this Section 10 hereof.  The Employee agrees that these restraints are necessary for the reasonable and proper protection of the Company and its affiliates and their Confidential Information and that each and every one of the restraints is reasonable in respect to subject matter, length of time and geographic area, and that these restraints, individually or in the aggregate, will not prevent the Employee from obtaining other suitable employment during the period in which the Employee is bound by the restraints.  The Employee acknowledges that each of these covenants has a unique, very substantial and immeasurable value to the Company and its affiliates and that the Employee has sufficient assets and skills to provide a livelihood while such covenants remain in force.  The Employee further covenants that the Employee will not challenge the reasonableness or enforceability of any of the covenants set forth in this Section 10 .  It is also agreed that each of the Company’s affiliates will have the right to enforce all of the Employee’s obligations to that affiliate under this Agreement, including without limitation pursuant to this Section 10 .

 

(g)                                  REFORMATION.   If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in any state that any restriction in this Section 10 is excessive in duration or scope or is unreasonable or unenforceable under applicable law, it is the intention of the parties that such restriction may be

 

11



 

modified or amended by the court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by the laws of that state.

 

(h)                                 TOLLING.  In the event of any violation of the provisions of this Section 10 , the Employee acknowledges and agrees that the post-termination restrictions contained in this Section 10 shall be extended by a period of time equal to the period of such violation, it being the intention of the parties hereto that the running of the applicable post-termination restriction period shall be tolled during any period of such violation.

 

(i)                                     SURVIVAL OF PROVISIONS.  The obligations contained in Sections 10 hereof shall survive the termination or expiration of the Employment Term and the Employee’s employment with the Company and shall be fully enforceable thereafter.

 

(j)                                    COOPERATION.  Upon the receipt of reasonable notice from the Company (including outside counsel), the Employee agrees that while employed by the Company, the Employee will respond and provide information with regard to matters in which the Employee has knowledge as a result of the Employee’s employment with the Company, and will provide reasonable assistance to the Company, its affiliates and their respective representatives in defense of any claims that may be made against the Company or its affiliates, and will assist the Company and its affiliates in the prosecution of any claims that may be made by the Company or its affiliates, to the extent that such claims may relate to the period of the Employee’s employment with the Company.

 

11.                               EQUITABLE RELIEF AND OTHER REMEDIES.  The Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Company’s remedies at law for a breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of Section 10 hereof would be inadequate and, in recognition of this fact, the Employee agrees that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, in addition to any remedies at law, the Company, without posting any bond or other security, shall be entitled to obtain equitable relief in the form of specific performance, a temporary restraining order, a temporary or permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy which may then be available, without the necessity of showing actual monetary damages.  In the event of a violation by the Employee of Section 10 hereof, any severance being paid to the Employee pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise shall immediately cease. If the Company adopts a “clawback” or recoupment policy, payments under this Agreement will be subject to repayment to the Company to the extent so provided under the terms of such policy.

 

12.                               NO ASSIGNMENTS.  This Agreement is personal to each of the parties hereto.  Except as provided in this Section 12 hereof, no party may assign or delegate any rights or obligations hereunder without first obtaining the written consent of the other party hereto.  The Company may assign this Agreement to any successor to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, provided that the Company shall require such successor to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place.  As used in this Agreement, “ Company ” shall mean the Company and any successor to its business and/or assets, which assumes and agrees to perform the duties and obligations of the Company under this Agreement by operation of law or otherwise.

 

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13.                               NOTICE .  For purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) on the date of delivery, if delivered by hand, (b) on the date of transmission, if delivered by confirmed facsimile or electronic mail, (c) on the first business day following the date of deposit, if delivered by guaranteed overnight delivery service, or (d) on the fourth business day following the date delivered or mailed by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

 

If to the Employee:

 

At the address (or to the facsimile number) shown
in the books and records of the Company.

 

If to the Company:

8670 Wolff Court, Suite 240,

Westminster, CO 80031

 

Attention:  Lead Independent Director

 

or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.

 

14.                               SECTION HEADINGS; INCONSISTENCY.  The section headings used in this Agreement are included solely for convenience and shall not affect, or be used in connection with, the interpretation of this Agreement.  In the event of any inconsistency between the terms of this Agreement and any form, award, plan or policy of the Company, the terms of this Agreement shall govern and control.

 

15.                               SEVERABILITY.  The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in such jurisdiction or the validity, legality or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction, it being intended that all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

 

16.                               COUNTERPARTS.   This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

17.                               INDEMNIFICATION.  The Company hereby agrees to indemnify the Employee and hold the Employee harmless to the extent provided under the By-Laws of the Company against and in respect of any and all actions, suits, proceedings, claims, demands, judgments, costs, expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees), losses, and damages resulting from the Employee’s good faith performance of the Employee’s duties and obligations with the Company.  This obligation shall survive the termination of the Employee’s employment with the Company.

 

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18.                               LIABILITY INSURANCE.  The Company shall cover the Employee under directors’ and officers’ liability insurance both during and, while potential liability exists, after the term of this Agreement in the same amount and to the same extent as the Company covers its other officers and directors.

 

19.                               GOVERNING LAW .  This Agreement, the rights and obligations of the parties hereto, and any claims or disputes relating thereto, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado (without regard to its choice of law provisions).  The parties acknowledge and agree that in connection with any dispute hereunder, each party shall pay all of its own costs and expenses, including, without limitation, its own legal fees and expenses.

 

20.                               MISCELLANEOUS.  No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by the Employee and such officer or director as may be designated by the Board.  No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.  This Agreement together with all exhibits hereto sets forth the entire agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings between the Employee and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof.  No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party which are not expressly set forth in this Agreement. The payment or provision to the Employee by the Company of any remuneration, benefits or other financial obligations pursuant to this Agreement and any indemnification obligations, shall be allocated between the Company and the Operating Partnership by the Compensation Committee based on any reasonable method.

 

21.                               REPRESENTATIONS.  The Employee represents and warrants to the Company that (a) the Employee has the legal right to enter into this Agreement and to perform all of the obligations on the Employee’s part to be performed hereunder in accordance with its terms, and (b) the Employee is not a party to any agreement or understanding, written or oral, and is not subject to any restriction, which, in either case, could prevent the Employee from entering into this Agreement or performing all of the Employee’s duties and obligations hereunder. In addition, the Employee acknowledges that the Employee is aware of Section 304 (Forfeiture of Certain Bonuses and Profits) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the right of the Company to be reimbursed for certain payments to the Employee in compliance therewith.

 

22.                               TAX MATTERS.

 

(a)                                 WITHHOLDING.   The Company may withhold from any and all amounts payable under this Agreement or otherwise such federal, state and local taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

 

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(b)                                 SECTION 409A COMPLIANCE.

 

(i)                                     The intent of the parties is that payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with (or qualify for an exemption from) Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively “ Code Section 409A ”) and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted accordingly.  To the extent that any provision hereof is modified in order to comply with Code Section 409A, such modification shall be made in good faith and shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, maintain the original intent and economic benefit to the Employee and the Company of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Code Section 409A.  In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed on the Employee by Code Section 409A or damages for failing to comply with Code Section 409A.

 

(ii)                                  A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service” within the meaning of Code Section 409A and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a “termination,” “termination of employment” or like terms shall mean “separation from service.”  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if the Employee is deemed on the termination date to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of that term under Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B), then with regard to any payment or the provision of any benefit that is considered deferred compensation under Code Section 409A payable on account of a “separation from service,” such payment or benefit shall not be made or provided until the date which is the earlier of (A) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of such “separation from service” of the Employee, and (B) the date of the Employee’s death, to the extent required under Code Section 409A.  Upon the expiration of the foregoing delay period, all payments and benefits delayed pursuant to this Section 22(b)(ii) (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall be paid or reimbursed to the Employee in a lump sum, and any remaining payments and benefits due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein.

 

(iii)                               To the extent that reimbursements or other in-kind benefits under this Agreement constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A, (A) all expenses or other reimbursements hereunder shall be made on or prior to the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expenses were incurred by the Employee, (B) any right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, and (C) no such reimbursement, expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided in any taxable year shall in any way affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year.

 

(iv)                              For purposes of Code Section 409A, the Employee’s right to receive any installment payments pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments.  Whenever a payment under this Agreement specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days, the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of the Company.

 

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(v)                                 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall any payment under this Agreement that constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A be subject to offset by any other amount unless otherwise permitted by Code Section 409A.

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

 

 

FARMLAND PARTNERS INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Luca Fabbri

 

 

 

 

Name:

Luca Fabbri

 

 

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

FARMLAND PARTNERS OPERATING

 

PARTNERSHIP, LP

 

 

 

By: Farmland Partners OP GP, LLC, its general

 

partner

 

 

 

 

By: Farmland Partners Inc., its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Luca Fabbri

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

Luca Fabbri

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EMPLOYEE

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Paul A. Pittman

 

Paul A. Pittman

 

17



 

EXHIBIT A

 

GENERAL RELEASE

 

I,                                  , in consideration of and subject to the performance by Farmland Partners Inc., a Maryland corporation (“Farmland”), and Farmland Partners Operating Partnership, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Operating Partnership ” and, together with the Farmland and its subsidiaries, the “ Company ”), of its obligations under the Employment Agreement dated as of April 16, 2014 (the “ Agreement ”), do hereby release and forever discharge as of the date hereof the Company and its respective affiliates and all present, former and future managers, directors, officers, employees, attorneys, advisors, successors and assigns of the Company and its affiliates and direct or indirect owners (collectively, the “ Released Partie s ”) to the extent provided below (this “ General Release ”).  The Released Parties are intended to be third-party beneficiaries of this General Release, and this General Release may be enforced by each of them in accordance with the terms hereof in respect of the rights granted to such Released Parties hereunder.  Terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given to them in the Agreement.

 

1.                                      I understand that any payments or benefits paid or granted to me under Section 8 of the Agreement represent, in part, consideration for signing this General Release and are not salary, wages or benefits to which I was already entitled.  I understand and agree that I will not receive certain of the payments and benefits specified in Section 8 of the Agreement unless I execute this General Release and do not revoke this General Release within the time period permitted hereafter.  Such payments and benefits will not be considered compensation for purposes of any employee benefit plan, program, policy or arrangement maintained or hereafter established by the Company or its affiliates.

 

2.                                      Except as provided in paragraphs 4 and 5 below and except for the provisions of the Agreement which expressly survive the termination of my employment with the Company, I knowingly and voluntarily (for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns) release and forever discharge the Company and the other Released Parties from any and all claims, suits, controversies, actions, causes of action, cross-claims, counter-claims, demands, debts, compensatory damages, liquidated damages, punitive or exemplary damages, other damages, claims for costs and attorneys’ fees, or liabilities of any nature whatsoever in law and in equity, both past and present (through the date that this General Release becomes effective and enforceable) and whether known or unknown, suspected, or claimed against the Company or any of the Released Parties which I, my spouse, or any of my heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, may have, which arise out of or are connected with my employment with, or my separation or termination from, the Company (including, but not limited to, any allegation, claim or violation, arising under:  Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (including the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act); the Equal Pay Act of 1963, as amended; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; the Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; any applicable Executive Order Programs; the Fair Labor Standards Act; or their state or local counterparts; or under any other federal, state or local civil or human rights law, or

 

B-1



 

under any other local, state, or federal law, regulation or ordinance; or under any public policy, contract or tort, or under common law; or arising under any policies, practices or procedures of the Company; or any claim for wrongful discharge, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, defamation; or any claim for costs, fees, or other expenses, including attorneys’ fees incurred in these matters) (all of the foregoing collectively referred to herein as the “ Claims ”).

 

3.                                      I represent that I have made no assignment or transfer of any right, claim, demand, cause of action or other matters covered by paragraph 2 above.

 

4.                                      I agree that this General Release does not waive or release any rights or claims that I may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 which arise after the date I execute this General Release. I acknowledge and agree that my separation from employment with the Company in compliance with the terms of the Agreement shall not serve as the basis for any claim or action (including, without limitation, any claim under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967).

 

5.                                      I agree that I hereby waive all rights to sue or obtain equitable, remedial or punitive relief from any or all Released Parties of any kind whatsoever in respect of any Claims, including, without limitation, reinstatement, back pay, front pay, and any form of injunctive relief.  Notwithstanding the above, I further acknowledge that I am not waiving and am not being required to waive any right that cannot be waived under law, including the right to file an administrative charge or participate in an administrative investigation or proceeding; provided , however , that I disclaim and waive any right to share or participate in any monetary award resulting from the prosecution of such charge or investigation or proceeding.  Additionally, I am not waiving (i) any right to the Accrued Benefits or any severance benefits to which I am entitled under the Agreement, (ii) any claim relating to directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage or any right of indemnification under the Company’s organizational documents or otherwise, or (iii) my rights as an equity or security holder in the Company or its affiliates.

 

6.                                      In signing this General Release, I acknowledge and intend that it shall be effective as a bar to each and every one of the Claims hereinabove mentioned or implied. I expressly consent that this General Release shall be given full force and effect according to each and all of its express terms and provisions, including those relating to unknown and unsuspected Claims (notwithstanding any state or local statute that expressly limits the effectiveness of a general release of unknown, unsuspected and unanticipated Claims), if any, as well as those relating to any other Claims hereinabove mentioned or implied.  I acknowledge and agree that this waiver is an essential and material term of this General Release and that without such waiver the Company would not have agreed to the terms of the Agreement.  I further agree that in the event I should bring a Claim seeking damages against the Company, or in the event I should seek to recover against the Company in any Claim brought by a governmental agency on my behalf, this General Release shall serve as a complete defense to such Claims to the maximum extent permitted by law.  I further agree that I am not aware of any pending claim of the type described in paragraph 2 above as of the execution of this General Release.

 

7.                                      I agree that neither this General Release, nor the furnishing of the consideration for this General Release, shall be deemed or construed at any time to be an admission by the Company, any Released Party or myself of any improper or unlawful conduct.

 

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8.                                      I agree that if I violate this General Release by suing the Company or the other Released Parties, I will pay all costs and expenses of defending against the suit incurred by the Released Parties, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.

 

9.                                      I agree that this General Release and the Agreement are confidential and agree not to disclose any information regarding the terms of this General Release or the Agreement, except to my immediate family and any tax, legal or other counsel I have consulted regarding the meaning or effect hereof or as required by law, and I will instruct each of the foregoing not to disclose the same to anyone.

 

10.                               Any non-disclosure provision in this General Release does not prohibit or restrict me (or my attorney) from responding to any inquiry about this General Release or its underlying facts and circumstances by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), any other self-regulatory organization or any governmental entity.

 

11.                               I hereby acknowledge that Sections 8 through 13, 17 through 20 and 22 of the Agreement shall survive my execution of this General Release.

 

12.                               I represent that I am not aware of any claim by me other than the claims that are released by this General Release.  I acknowledge that I may hereafter discover claims or facts in addition to or different than those which I now know or believe to exist with respect to the subject matter of the release set forth in paragraph 2 above and which, if known or suspected at the time of entering into this General Release, may have materially affected this General Release and my decision to enter into it.

 

13.                               Notwithstanding anything in this General Release to the contrary, this General Release shall not relinquish, diminish, or in any way affect any rights or claims arising out of any breach by the Company or by any Released Party of the Agreement after the date hereof.

 

14.                               Whenever possible, each provision of this General Release shall be interpreted in, such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this General Release is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this General Release shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

 

BY SIGNING THIS GENERAL RELEASE, I REPRESENT AND AGREE THAT:

 

1.                                      I HAVE READ IT CAREFULLY;

 

2.                                      I UNDERSTAND ALL OF ITS TERMS AND KNOW THAT I AM GIVING UP IMPORTANT RIGHTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, RIGHTS UNDER THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1967, AS AMENDED, TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964, AS

 

B-3



 

AMENDED; THE EQUAL PAY ACT OF 1963, THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990; AND THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED;

 

3.                                      I VOLUNTARILY CONSENT TO EVERYTHING IN IT;

 

4.                                      I HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE EXECUTING IT AND I HAVE DONE SO OR, AFTER CAREFUL READING AND CONSIDERATION, I HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO DO SO OF MY OWN VOLITION;

 

5.                                      I HAVE HAD AT LEAST [21][45] DAYS FROM THE DATE OF MY RECEIPT OF THIS RELEASE TO CONSIDER IT, AND THE CHANGES MADE SINCE MY RECEIPT OF THIS RELEASE ARE NOT MATERIAL OR WERE MADE AT MY REQUEST AND WILL NOT RESTART THE REQUIRED [21][45] -DAY PERIOD;

 

6.                                      I UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE SEVEN (7) DAYS AFTER THE EXECUTION OF THIS RELEASE TO REVOKE IT AND THAT THIS RELEASE SHALL NOT BECOME EFFECTIVE OR ENFORCEABLE UNTIL THE REVOCATION PERIOD HAS EXPIRED;

 

7.                                      I HAVE SIGNED THIS GENERAL RELEASE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY AND WITH THE ADVICE OF ANY COUNSEL RETAINED TO ADVISE ME WITH RESPECT TO IT; AND

 

8.                                      I AGREE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS GENERAL RELEASE MAY NOT BE AMENDED, WAIVED, CHANGED OR MODIFIED EXCEPT BY AN INSTRUMENT IN WRITING SIGNED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY AND BY ME.

 

 

SIGNED:

 

 

DATED:

 

 

B-4


EXHIBIT 10.3

 

FARMLAND PARTNERS INC.

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) dated as of April 16, 2014, between Farmland Partners Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Farmland ”) and Farmland Partners Operating Partnership, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Operating Partnership ” and, together with Farmland, the “ Company ”), each with its principal place of business at 8670 Wolff Court, Suite 240, Westminster, CO 80031, and Luca Fabbri residing at the address on file with the Company (the “ Employee ”).

 

W   I   T   N   E   S   S   E   T   H

 

WHEREAS , Farmland is the sole member of the general partner of the Operating Partnership;

 

WHEREAS , the parties desire to enter into this Agreement to reflect the Employee’s executive capacities in the Company’s business and to provide for the Company’s employment of the Employee; and

 

WHEREAS , the parties wish to set forth the terms and conditions of that employment.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, of the mutual promises contained herein and of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

1.                                       POSITION AND DUTIES.

 

(a)                                  During the Employment Term (as defined in Section 2 hereof), the Employee shall serve as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company.  In this capacity, the Employee shall have the duties, authorities and responsibilities as are required by the Employee’s position commensurate with the duties, authorities and responsibilities of persons in similar capacities in similarly sized companies, and such other duties, authorities and responsibilities as may reasonably be assigned to the Employee as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company shall designate from time to time that are not inconsistent with the Employee’s position with the Company and that are consistent with the bylaws of the Company and the amended and restated agreement of limited partnership of the Operating Partnership as it may be further amended from time to time, including, but not limited to, managing the affairs of the Company.  The Employee’s principal place of employment with the Company shall be in Westminster, Colorado, provided that the Employee understands and agrees that the Employee may be required to travel from time to time for business purposes. The Employee shall report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

 

(b)                                  During the Employment Term, the Employee shall devote substantially all of the Employee’s business time, energy, business judgment, knowledge and skill and the Employee’s best efforts to the performance of the Employee’s duties with the Company, provided that the foregoing shall not prevent the Employee from (i) serving on the boards of directors of non-profit organizations, (ii) participating in charitable, civic, educational, professional, community

 



 

or industry affairs, and (iii) managing the Employee’s personal investments and/or personal business as necessary, so long as such activities in the aggregate do not interfere or conflict with the Employee’s duties hereunder or create a potential business or fiduciary conflict.

 

2.                                 EMPLOYMENT TERM.  The Company agrees to employ the Employee pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and the Employee agrees to be so employed, for a term of three years (the “ Initial Term ”) commencing as of the date hereof (the “ Effective Date ”).  Commencing with the last day of the Initial Term, and on each subsequent anniversary of such date, the term of this Agreement shall be automatically extended for successive one-year periods, provided , however , that either party hereto may elect not to extend this Agreement by giving written notice to the other party at least sixty (60) days prior to any such anniversary date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employee’s employment hereunder may be earlier terminated in accordance with Section 7   hereof, subject to Section 8 hereof.  The period of time between the Effective Date and the end of the Initial Term and any successor terms (or earlier upon a termination of the Employee’s employment hereunder) shall be referred to herein as the “ Employment Term .” If the Employee’s employment continues following any expiration of the Employment Term due to either party giving notice not to extend this Agreement, such employment will be entirely “at-will,” and will not be covered by this Agreement (except for the applicable restrictive covenant provisions, which are intended to survive expiration of the Agreement in all cases).

 

3.                                       BASE SALARY.   The Company agrees to pay the Employee a base salary at an annual rate of not less than $200,000, payable in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Company, but not less frequently than monthly.  The Employee’s Base Salary shall be subject to annual review by the Board of Directors of Farmland (the “ Board ”) (or a committee thereof), and may be adjusted from time to time by the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “ Compensation Committee ”) in its sole discretion.  The base salary as determined herein and adjusted from time to time shall constitute “ Base Salary ” for purposes of this Agreement.

 

4.                                       ANNUAL BONUS.  During the Employment Term, the Employee shall be eligible to receive an annual discretionary incentive payment under the Company’s annual bonus plan as may be in effect from time to time (the “ Annual Bonus ”) based on a percentage of the Employee’s Base Salary (the “ Target Bonus ”), upon the attainment of one or more pre-established performance goals established by the Board or the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion.

 

5.                                       EQUITY AWARDS.  The Employee shall be considered to receive equity and other long-term incentive awards (including long-term incentive units in the Operating Partnership) under any applicable plan adopted by the Company during the Employment Term.

 

6.                                       EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.

 

(a)                                  BENEFIT PLANS.  During the Employment Term, the Employee shall be entitled to participate in any employee benefit plan that the Company has adopted or may adopt, maintain or contribute to for the benefit of its employees generally, subject to satisfying the applicable eligibility requirements, except to the extent such plans are duplicative of the benefits

 

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otherwise provided hereunder.  The Employee’s participation will be subject to the terms of the applicable plan documents and generally applicable Company policies.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may modify or terminate any employee benefit plan at any time.

 

(b)                                  VACATIONS.  During the Employment Term, the Employee shall be entitled to paid vacation per calendar year (as prorated for partial years) in accordance with the Company’s policy on accrual and use applicable to employees as in effect from time to time.

 

(c)                                   BUSINESS AND ENTERTAINMENT EXPENSES.  Upon presentation of reasonable substantiation and documentation as the Company may specify from time to time, the Employee shall be reimbursed in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy, for all reasonable out-of-pocket business and entertainment expenses incurred and paid by the Employee during the Employment Term and in connection with the performance of the Employee’s duties hereunder.

 

7.                                       TERMINATION.   The Employee’s employment and the Employment Term shall terminate on the first of the following to occur:

 

(a)                                  DISABILITY.  Upon ten (10) days’ prior written notice by the Company to the Employee of termination due to Disability.  For purposes of this Agreement, “ Disability ” shall be defined as the inability of the Employee to have performed the Employee’s material duties hereunder due to a physical or mental injury, infirmity or incapacity for one hundred eighty (180) days (including weekends and holidays) in any 365-day period as determined by the Board in its reasonable discretion.

 

(b)                                  DEATH.   Automatically upon the date of death of the Employee.

 

(c)                                   CAUSE.  Immediately upon written notice by the Company to the Employee of a termination for Cause.  “ Cause ” shall mean:

 

(i)                                      Employee’s continued failure to substantially perform duties, or gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with the performance of the Employee’s duties to the Company;

 

(ii)                                   Employee’s conviction or plea of guilty or nolo contendere of a felony;

 

(iii)                                Employee’s conviction of any other criminal offense involving an act of dishonesty intended to result in substantial personal enrichment of Employee at the expense of the Company or an affiliate of the Company; or

 

(iv)                               Employee’s material breach of any Company policy or term of this Agreement or any other employment, consulting or other services, confidentiality, intellectual property or non-competition agreements, if any, between the Employee and the Company or an affiliate of the Company.

 

Any determination of Cause by the Company will be made by a resolution approved by a majority of the members of the Board, provided that no such determination may be made until the Employee has been given written notice detailing the specific Cause event, an opportunity to

 

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appear before the full Board with legal counsel, and a period of thirty (30) days following receipt of such notice to cure such event (if susceptible to cure) to the satisfaction of the Board.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Employee’s right to cure and appear before the full Board with legal counsel as set forth in the preceding sentence shall not apply if there are habitual or repeated breaches by the Employee.

 

(d)                                  WITHOUT CAUSE.   Immediately upon written notice by the Company to the Employee of an involuntary termination without Cause (other than for death or Disability).

 

(e)                                   GOOD REASON.  Upon written notice by the Employee to the Company of a termination for Good Reason.  “ Good Reason ” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events, without the express written consent of the Employee, unless such events are fully corrected in all material respects by the Company within thirty (30) days following written notification by the Employee to the Company of the occurrence of one of the following:

 

(i)                                      material diminution in the Employee’s Base Salary or Target Bonus considered as a whole (as the same may be in effect from time to time);

 

(ii)                                   material diminution in the Employee’s duties, authorities or responsibilities (other than temporarily while physically or mentally incapacitated or as required by applicable law); or

 

(iii)                                the Company’s material breach of the terms of this Agreement.

 

The Employee shall provide the Company with a written notice detailing the specific circumstances alleged to constitute Good Reason within ninety (90) days after the first occurrence of such circumstances that the Employee knows or reasonably should have known to constitute Good Reason, and actually terminate employment within thirty (30) days following the expiration of the Company’s thirty (30)-day cure period described above.  The failure by the Employee to provide written notice in detail of the circumstances constituting “Good Reason” within the time period set forth in the preceding sentence shall result in the Employee being deemed not to have terminated employment for Good Reason and to have irrevocably waived any claim of such circumstances constituting Good Reason under this Agreement.

 

(f)                                    WITHOUT GOOD REASON.  Upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice by the Employee to the Company of the Employee’s voluntary termination of employment without Good Reason (which the Company may, in its sole discretion, make effective earlier than any notice date).

 

(g)                                   EXPIRATION OF EMPLOYMENT TERM; NON-EXTENSION OF AGREEMENT.  Upon the expiration of the Employment Term due to a non-extension of the Agreement by the Company or the Employee pursuant to the provisions of Section 2 hereof.

 

8.                                       CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION.

 

(a)                                  DEATH.  In the event that the Employee’s employment and the Employment Term end on account of the Employee’s death, the Employee or the Employee’s estate, as the

 

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case may be, shall be entitled to a lump sum payment of the following within sixty (60) days following termination of employment, or such earlier date as may be required by applicable law:

 

(i)                                      any unpaid Base Salary through the termination date;

 

(ii)                                   any Annual Bonus earned and accrued but unpaid;

 

(iii)                                any accrued but unused vacation time in accordance with Company policy; and

 

(iv)                               reimbursement for any unreimbursed business expenses incurred through the termination date (collectively, Sections 8(a)(i)  through 8(a)(iv)  hereof shall be hereafter referred to as the “ Accrued Benefits ”).

 

(b)                                  DISABILITY.   In the event that the Employee’s employment and/or Employment Term ends on account of the Employee’s Disability, the Company shall pay or provide the Employee with the following:

 

(i)                                      the Accrued Benefits; and

 

(ii)                                   subject to (A) the Employee’s timely election of continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“ COBRA ”) and (B) the Employee’s continued compliance with the obligations in Sections 9 and 10 hereof, Employee shall be reimbursed for the amount equal to the COBRA continuation coverage premiums paid by the Employee that is required for coverage of the Employee (or his eligible dependents) under the Company’s major medical group health plan, for a period of eighteen (18) months, or, if less, until the Employee or his eligible dependents are no longer entitled to such COBRA coverage.

 

(c)                                   TERMINATION FOR CAUSE OR WITHOUT GOOD REASON OR AS A RESULT OF EMPLOYEE NON-EXTENSION OF THIS AGREEMENT.  If the Employee’s employment and the Employment Term are terminated (x) by the Company for Cause, (y) by the Employee without Good Reason, or (z) as a result of the Employee’s non-extension of the Employment Term as provided in Section 2 hereof, the Company shall pay to the Employee the Accrued Benefits.

 

(d)                                  TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE OR FOR GOOD REASON; TERMINATION AS A RESULT OF COMPANY NON-EXTENSION OF THIS AGREEMENT.  If the Employee’s employment and the Employment Term are terminated (x) by the Company other than for Cause (other than death or Disability), (y) by the Employee for Good Reason, or (z) as a result of the Company’s non-extension of the Employment Term as provided in Section 2 hereof and Employee was willing and able to remain employed, the Company shall pay or provide the Employee with the following:

 

(i)                                      the Accrued Benefits;

 

(ii)                                   subject to the Employee’s continued compliance with the obligations in Sections 9 and 10 hereof, an amount equal to two (2) times the sum of (A) the Base Salary in

 

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effect on the termination date, (B) the average Annual Bonus earned by the Employee for the two (2) Company fiscal years ending during the Employment Period and immediately preceding the Company fiscal year in which such termination occurs (regardless of whether such amount was paid out on a current basis or deferred), plus (C) the average Equity Award Value (as defined below) of the two (2) most recent Annual Grants (as defined below) made to the Employee by Farmland, paid monthly in equal installments for a period of twelve (12) months following such termination; provided that to the extent that the payment of any amount constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A (as defined in Section 22 hereof), any such payment scheduled to occur during the first sixty (60) days following the termination of employment shall not be paid until the first regularly scheduled pay period following the sixtieth (60 th ) day following such termination and shall include payment of any amount that was otherwise scheduled to be paid prior thereto;

 

(iii)                                subject to (A) the Employee’s timely election of continuation coverage under COBRA and (B) the Employee’s continued compliance with the obligations in Sections 9 and 10 hereof, Employee shall be reimbursed for the amount equal to the COBRA continuation coverage premiums paid by the Employee that is required for coverage of the Employee (or his eligible dependents) under the Company’s major medical group health plan, for a period of eighteen (18) months, or, if less, until the Employee or his eligible dependents are no longer entitled to such COBRA coverage; and

 

(iv)                               all of the Employee’s equity-based awards that are outstanding on the termination date shall immediately become fully vested and, as applicable, exercisable, without any action by the Board or Compensation Committee; provided , however , that to the extent an award is intended to qualify as performance-based compensation for purposes of Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m), such award shall not vest as a result of the termination of the Employee’s employment and shall, instead, remain outstanding after such termination and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable award agreement and plan document (other than continued employment).

 

Payments and benefits provided in this Section 8(d)  shall be in lieu of any termination or severance payments or benefits for which the Employee may be eligible under any of the plans, policies or programs of the Company or under the Worker Adjustment Retraining Notification Act of 1988 or any similar state statute or regulation.

 

For purposes of Section 8(d)(ii)(B) , in the event that the Employee’s termination occurs prior to the end of the completion of two (2) Company fiscal years during the Employment Term, then the amount in Section 8(d)(ii)(B)  shall be determined by using the Employee’s Target Bonus for any such fiscal year not yet completed, together with Annual Bonus actually earned by the Executive for the fiscal year completed during the Employment Term (if any), annualized for any such partial fiscal year.

 

For purposes of Section 8(d)(ii)(C) , in the event that the Employee’s termination occurs prior Executive receiving two (2) Annual Grants, then the amount in Section 8(d)(ii)(C)  shall be determined based on the Equity Award Value of Annual Grants made to the Employee during the Employment Term prior to the Employee’s termination (if any).

 

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For purposes of this Agreement:

 

Equity Award Value ” means (x) with respect to options and stock appreciation rights, the grant date fair value, as computed in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation (or any successor accounting standard), and (y) with respect to equity-based awards other than options and stock appreciation rights, the product of (1) the number of shares or units subject to such award, times (2) the “fair market value” of a share of Farmland’s common stock on the date of grant as determined under the plan under which such award was granted; and

 

Annual Grant ” means the grant of equity-based awards that constitute a component of a given year’s annual compensation package and shall not include any isolated, one-off or non-recurring grant outside of the Employee’s annual compensation package, such as (but not limited to) an initial hiring award, a retention award, an award that relates to multi-year or other long-term performance, an outperformance award or other similar award, in any event, as determined in the sole discretion of the Board or the Compensation Committee.

 

(e)                                   CODE SECTION 280G.  If the Employee is a “disqualified individual,” as defined in Code Section 280G(c), then, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or of any other agreement, contract, or understanding heretofore or hereafter entered into by the Employee with the Company (an “ Other Agreement ”), and notwithstanding any formal or informal plan or other arrangement for the direct or indirect provision of compensation to the Employee (including groups or classes of employees or beneficiaries of which the Employee is a member), whether or not such compensation is deferred, is in cash, or is in the form of a benefit to or for the Employee (a “ Benefit Arrangement ”), any right to exercise, vesting, payment or benefit to the Employee under this Agreement, any Other Agreement and/or any Benefit Arrangement shall be reduced or eliminated:

 

(i)                                      to the extent that such right to exercise, vesting, payment, or benefit, taking into account all other rights, payments, or benefits to or for the Employee under this Agreement, all Other Agreements, and all Benefit Arrangements, would cause any exercise, vesting, payment or benefit to the Employee under this Agreement to be considered a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Code Section 280G(b)(2) as then in effect (a “ Parachute Payment ”); and

 

(ii)                                   if, as a result of receiving such Parachute Payment, the aggregate after-tax amounts received by the Employee from the Company under this Agreement, all Other Agreements, and all Benefit Arrangements would be less than the maximum after-tax amount that could be received by the Employee without causing any such payment or benefit to be considered a Parachute Payment.

 

The Company shall accomplish such reduction by first reducing or eliminating any cash payments (with the payments to be made furthest in the future being reduced first), then by reducing or eliminating any accelerated vesting of performance awards, then by reducing or eliminating any accelerated vesting of options or stock appreciation rights, then by reducing or eliminating any accelerated vesting of restricted stock or stock units, then by reducing or eliminating any other remaining Parachute Payments.

 

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(f)                                    OTHER OBLIGATIONS.  Upon any termination of the Employee’s employment with the Company, unless otherwise specified in a written agreement between the Company and the Employee, the Employee shall be deemed to have resigned from the Board and any other position as an officer, director or fiduciary of the Company and its affiliates, and shall take any and all actions reasonably requested by the Company to effectuate the foregoing.

 

(g)                                   EXCLUSIVE REMEDY.  The amounts payable to the Employee following termination of employment and the Employment Term hereunder pursuant to Sections 7 and 8 hereof shall be in full and complete satisfaction of the Employee’s rights under this Agreement and any other claims that the Employee may have in respect of the Employee’s employment with the Company or any of its affiliates, and the Employee acknowledges that such amounts are fair and reasonable, and are the Employee’s sole and exclusive remedy, in lieu of all other remedies at law or in equity, with respect to the termination of the Employee’s employment hereunder or any breach of this Agreement.

 

9.                                       RELEASE.  Any and all amounts payable and benefits or additional rights provided pursuant to this Agreement beyond the Accrued Benefits shall only be payable if the Employee delivers to the Company and does not revoke a general release of claims in favor of the Company in substantially the form attached on Exhibit A hereto. Such release shall be executed and delivered (and no longer subject to revocation, if applicable) within sixty (60) days following termination.

 

10.                                RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS.

 

(a)                                  CONFIDENTIALITY.   During the course of the Employee’s employment with the Company, the Employee will have access to Confidential Information.  For purposes of this Agreement, “ Confidential Information ” means all data, information, ideas, concepts, discoveries, trade secrets, inventions (whether or not patentable or reduced to practice), innovations, improvements, know-how, developments, techniques, methods, processes, treatments, drawings, sketches, specifications, designs, plans, patterns, models, plans and strategies, and all other confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets in any form or medium (whether merely remembered or embodied in a tangible or intangible form or medium) whether now or hereafter existing, relating to or arising from the past, current or potential business, activities and/or operations of the Company or any of its affiliates, including, without limitation, any such information relating to or concerning finances, sales, marketing, advertising, transition, promotions, pricing, personnel, customers, suppliers, vendors, raw partners and/or competitors.  The Employee agrees that the Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, use, make available, sell, disclose or otherwise communicate to any person, other than in the course of the Employee’s assigned duties and for the benefit of the Company, either during the period of the Employee’s employment or at any time thereafter, any Confidential Information or other confidential or proprietary information received from third parties subject to a duty on the Company’s and its affiliates’ part to maintain the confidentiality of such information, and to use such information only for certain limited purposes, in each case, which shall have been obtained by the Employee during the Employee’s employment by the Company (or any predecessor).  The foregoing shall not apply to information that (i) was known to the public prior to its disclosure to the Employee; (ii) becomes generally known to the public subsequent to disclosure to the Employee through no wrongful act of the Employee or any representative of the Employee; or

 

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(iii) the Employee is required to disclose by applicable law, regulation or legal process (provided that the Employee provides the Company with prior notice of the contemplated disclosure and cooperates with the Company at its expense in seeking a protective order or other appropriate protection of such information).

 

(b)                                  NONCOMPETITION.  The Employee acknowledges that (i) the Employee performs services of a unique nature for the Company that are irreplaceable, and that the Employee’s performance of such services to a competing business will result in irreparable harm to the Company, (ii) the Employee has had and will continue to have access to Confidential Information which, if disclosed, would unfairly and inappropriately assist in competition against the Company or any of its affiliates, (iii) in the course of the Employee’s employment by a competitor, the Employee would inevitably use or disclose such Confidential Information, (iv) the Company and its affiliates have substantial relationships with their customers and the Employee has had and will continue to have access to these customers, (v) the Employee has received and will receive specialized training from the Company and its affiliates, and (vi) the Employee has generated and will continue to generate goodwill for the Company and its affiliates in the course of the Employee’s employment.  Accordingly, during the Employee’s employment and (A) if the Employee’s employment and the Employment Term are terminated by the Company for Cause, by the Employee without Good Reason or as a result of the Employee’s non-extension of the Employment Term as provided in Section 2 hereof, for a period of one (1) year thereafter, or (B) if the Employee’s employment and the Employment Term are terminated by the Company other than for Cause, by the Employee for Good Reason or as a result of the Company’s non-extension of the Employment Term as provided in Section 2 hereof and Employee was willing and able to remain employed, for a period of six (6) months thereafter, the Employee agrees that the Employee will not, directly or indirectly, own, manage, operate, control, be employed by (whether as an employee, consultant, independent contractor or otherwise, and whether or not for compensation) or render services to (i) any person, firm, corporation or other entity, in whatever form, with a class of securities listed on a national securities exchange, engaged in the business of owning and leasing agricultural real estate or in any other material business in which the Company or any of its affiliates is engaged on the termination date or in which they have planned, on or prior to such date, to be engaged in on or after such date, in any locale of any country in which the Company conducts business or (ii) any person, firm, corporation or other entity, in whatever form, with assets under management or committed capital in excess of $50,000,000, engaged in the business of owning and leasing agricultural real estate or in any other material business in which the Company or any of its affiliates is engaged on the termination date or in which they have planned, on or prior to such date, to be engaged in on or after such date, in any locale of any country in which the Company conducts business.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prohibit the Employee from (i) being a passive owner of not more than one percent (1%) of the equity securities of a publicly traded corporation engaged in a business that is in competition with the Company or any of its affiliates, so long as the Employee has no active participation in the business of such corporation or (ii) owning, managing, operating, controlling, or being employed by any firm, corporation or other entity in the same capacity in which the Employee was engaged immediately prior to the Termination of the Employee’s employment hereunder, as long as (a) the Board has been apprised of the identity of, and the Employee’s role with, such firm, corporation or other entity and (b) the Board has previously approved the Employee’s role with such firm, corporation or other entity, in the case of both (a) and (b), prior to the Employee’s

 

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termination of employment.  In addition, the provisions of this Section 10(b)  shall not be violated by the Employee commencing employment with a subsidiary, division or unit of any entity that engages in a business in competition with the Company or any of its affiliates so long as the Employee and such subsidiary, division or unit does not engage in a business in competition with the Company or any of its affiliates.

 

(c)                                   NONSOLICITATION; NONINTERFERENCE.  (i)  During the Employee’s employment with the Company and (A) if the Employee’s employment and the Employment Term are terminated by the Company for Cause, by the Employee without Good Reason or as a result of the Employee’s non-extension of the Employment Term as provided in Section 2 hereof, for a period of one (1) year thereafter, or (B) if the Employee’s employment and the Employment Term are terminated by the Company other than for Cause, by the Employee for Good Reason or as a result of the Company’s non-extension of the Employment Term as provided in Section 2 hereof and Employee was willing and able to remain employed, for a period of six (6) months thereafter, the Employee agrees that the Employee shall not, except in the furtherance of the Employee’s duties hereunder, directly or indirectly, individually or on behalf of any other person, firm, corporation or other entity, solicit, aid or induce any customer of the Company or any of its affiliates to purchase goods or services then sold by the Company or any of its affiliates from another person, firm, corporation or other entity or assist or aid any other persons or entity in identifying or soliciting any such customer.

 

(ii)                                   During the Employee’s employment with the Company and (A) if the Employee’s employment and the Employment Term are terminated by the Company for Cause, by the Employee without Good Reason or as a result of the Employee’s non-extension of the Employment Term as provided in Section 2 hereof, for a period of one (1) year thereafter, or (B) if the Employee’s employment and the Employment Term are terminated by the Company other than for Cause, by the Employee for Good Reason or as a result of the Company’s non-extension of the Employment Term as provided in Section 2 hereof and Employee was willing and able to remain employed, for a period of six (6) months thereafter, the Employee agrees that the Employee shall not, except in the furtherance of the Employee’s duties hereunder, directly or indirectly, individually or on behalf of any other person, firm, corporation or other entity, (A) solicit, aid or induce any employee, representative or agent of the Company or any of its affiliates to leave such employment or retention or to accept employment with or render services to or with any other person, firm, corporation or other entity unaffiliated with the Company or hire or retain any such employee, representative or agent, or take any action to materially assist or aid any other person, firm, corporation or other entity in identifying, hiring or soliciting any such employee, representative or agent, or (B) interfere, or aid or induce any other person or entity in interfering, with the relationship between the Company or any of its affiliates and any of their respective vendors, joint venturers, licensors or tenants.  An employee, representative or agent shall be deemed covered by this Section 10(c)(ii)  while so employed or retained and for a period of six (6) months thereafter.

 

(iii)                                Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Section 10(c)  shall not be violated by (A) general advertising or solicitation not specifically targeted at Company-related persons or entities, (B) the Employee serving as a reference, upon request, for any employee of the Company or any of its affiliates so long as such reference is not for an entity that is employing or retaining the Employee , or (C)  actions taken by any person or entity with

 

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which the Employee is associated if the Employee is not personally involved in any manner in the matter and has not identified such Company-related person or entity for soliciting or hiring.

 

(d)                                  NONDISPARAGMENT.  The Employee agrees not to make negative comments or otherwise disparage the Company or its officers, directors, employees, shareholders, agents or products other than in the good faith performance of the Employee’s duties to the Company while the Employee is employed by the Company.  The Company hereby covenants and agrees that it shall not, directly or indirectly, make or solicit or encourage others to make or solicit any negative comments or otherwise disparaging remarks concerning the Employee. The foregoing shall not be violated by truthful statements in response to legal process, required governmental testimony or filings, or administrative or arbitral proceedings (including, without limitation, depositions in connection with such proceedings).

 

(e)                                   RETURN OF COMPANY PROPERTY.  On the date of the Employee’s termination of employment with the Company for any reason (or at any time prior thereto at the Company’s request), the Employee shall return all property belonging to the Company or its affiliates (including, but not limited to, any Company-provided laptops, computers, cell phones, wireless electronic mail devices or other equipment, or documents and property belonging to the Company).  The Employee may retain the Employee’s rolodex and similar address books provided that such items only include contact information.

 

(f)                                    REASONABLENESS OF COVENANTS.  In signing this Agreement, the Employee gives the Company assurance that the Employee has carefully read and considered all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the restraints imposed under this Section 10 hereof.  The Employee agrees that these restraints are necessary for the reasonable and proper protection of the Company and its affiliates and their Confidential Information and that each and every one of the restraints is reasonable in respect to subject matter, length of time and geographic area, and that these restraints, individually or in the aggregate, will not prevent the Employee from obtaining other suitable employment during the period in which the Employee is bound by the restraints.  The Employee acknowledges that each of these covenants has a unique, very substantial and immeasurable value to the Company and its affiliates and that the Employee has sufficient assets and skills to provide a livelihood while such covenants remain in force.  The Employee further covenants that the Employee will not challenge the reasonableness or enforceability of any of the covenants set forth in this Section 10 .  It is also agreed that each of the Company’s affiliates will have the right to enforce all of the Employee’s obligations to that affiliate under this Agreement, including without limitation pursuant to this Section 10 .

 

(g)                                   REFORMATION.   If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in any state that any restriction in this Section 10 is excessive in duration or scope or is unreasonable or unenforceable under applicable law, it is the intention of the parties that such restriction may be modified or amended by the court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by the laws of that state.

 

(h)                                  TOLLING.  In the event of any violation of the provisions of this Section 10 , the Employee acknowledges and agrees that the post-termination restrictions contained in this Section 10 shall be extended by a period of time equal to the period of such violation, it being the

 

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intention of the parties hereto that the running of the applicable post-termination restriction period shall be tolled during any period of such violation.

 

(i)                                      SURVIVAL OF PROVISIONS.  The obligations contained in Sections 10 hereof shall survive the termination or expiration of the Employment Term and the Employee’s employment with the Company and shall be fully enforceable thereafter.

 

(j)                                     COOPERATION.   Upon the receipt of reasonable notice from the Company (including outside counsel), the Employee agrees that while employed by the Company, the Employee will respond and provide information with regard to matters in which the Employee has knowledge as a result of the Employee’s employment with the Company, and will provide reasonable assistance to the Company, its affiliates and their respective representatives in defense of any claims that may be made against the Company or its affiliates, and will assist the Company and its affiliates in the prosecution of any claims that may be made by the Company or its affiliates, to the extent that such claims may relate to the period of the Employee’s employment with the Company.

 

11.                                EQUITABLE RELIEF AND OTHER REMEDIES.  The Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Company’s remedies at law for a breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of Section 10 hereof would be inadequate and, in recognition of this fact, the Employee agrees that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, in addition to any remedies at law, the Company, without posting any bond or other security, shall be entitled to obtain equitable relief in the form of specific performance, a temporary restraining order, a temporary or permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy which may then be available, without the necessity of showing actual monetary damages.  In the event of a violation by the Employee of Section 10 hereof, any severance being paid to the Employee pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise shall immediately cease. If the Company adopts a “clawback” or recoupment policy, payments under this Agreement will be subject to repayment to the Company to the extent so provided under the terms of such policy.

 

12.                                NO ASSIGNMENTS.  This Agreement is personal to each of the parties hereto.  Except as provided in this Section 12 hereof, no party may assign or delegate any rights or obligations hereunder without first obtaining the written consent of the other party hereto.  The Company may assign this Agreement to any successor to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, provided that the Company shall require such successor to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place.  As used in this Agreement, “ Company ” shall mean the Company and any successor to its business and/or assets, which assumes and agrees to perform the duties and obligations of the Company under this Agreement by operation of law or otherwise.

 

13.                                NOTICE .  For purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) on the date of delivery, if delivered by hand, (b) on the date of transmission, if delivered by confirmed facsimile or electronic mail, (c) on the first business day following the date of deposit, if delivered by guaranteed overnight delivery service, or (d) on the fourth business day following

 

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the date delivered or mailed by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

 

If to the Employee:

 

At the address (or to the facsimile number) shown
in the books and records of the Company.

 

If to the Company:

8670 Wolff Court, Suite 240,

Westminster, CO 80031

 

Attention:  Chief Executive Officer

 

or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.

 

14.                                SECTION HEADINGS; INCONSISTENCY.  The section headings used in this Agreement are included solely for convenience and shall not affect, or be used in connection with, the interpretation of this Agreement.  In the event of any inconsistency between the terms of this Agreement and any form, award, plan or policy of the Company, the terms of this Agreement shall govern and control.

 

15.                                SEVERABILITY.  The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in such jurisdiction or the validity, legality or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction, it being intended that all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

 

16.                                COUNTERPARTS.   This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

17.                                INDEMNIFICATION.  The Company hereby agrees to indemnify the Employee and hold the Employee harmless to the extent provided under the By-Laws of the Company against and in respect of any and all actions, suits, proceedings, claims, demands, judgments, costs, expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees), losses, and damages resulting from the Employee’s good faith performance of the Employee’s duties and obligations with the Company.  This obligation shall survive the termination of the Employee’s employment with the Company.

 

18.                                LIABILITY INSURANCE.  The Company shall cover the Employee under directors’ and officers’ liability insurance both during and, while potential liability exists, after the term of this Agreement in the same amount and to the same extent as the Company covers its other officers and directors.

 

19.                                GOVERNING LAW .  This Agreement, the rights and obligations of the parties hereto, and any claims or disputes relating thereto, shall be governed by and construed in

 

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accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado (without regard to its choice of law provisions).  The parties acknowledge and agree that in connection with any dispute hereunder, each party shall pay all of its own costs and expenses, including, without limitation, its own legal fees and expenses.

 

20.                                MISCELLANEOUS.  No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by the Employee and such officer or director as may be designated by the Board.  No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.  This Agreement together with all exhibits hereto sets forth the entire agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings between the Employee and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof.  No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party which are not expressly set forth in this Agreement. The payment or provision to the Employee by the Company of any remuneration, benefits or other financial obligations pursuant to this Agreement and any indemnification obligations, shall be allocated between the Company and the Operating Partnership by the Compensation Committee based on any reasonable method.

 

21.                                REPRESENTATIONS.  The Employee represents and warrants to the Company that (a) the Employee has the legal right to enter into this Agreement and to perform all of the obligations on the Employee’s part to be performed hereunder in accordance with its terms, and (b) the Employee is not a party to any agreement or understanding, written or oral, and is not subject to any restriction, which, in either case, could prevent the Employee from entering into this Agreement or performing all of the Employee’s duties and obligations hereunder. In addition, the Employee acknowledges that the Employee is aware of Section 304 (Forfeiture of Certain Bonuses and Profits) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the right of the Company to be reimbursed for certain payments to the Employee in compliance therewith.

 

22.                                TAX MATTERS.

 

(a)                                  WITHHOLDING.   The Company may withhold from any and all amounts payable under this Agreement or otherwise such federal, state and local taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

 

(b)                                  SECTION 409A COMPLIANCE.

 

(i)                                      The intent of the parties is that payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with (or qualify for an exemption from) Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively “ Code Section 409A ”) and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted accordingly.  To the extent that any provision hereof is modified in order to comply with Code Section 409A, such modification shall be made in good faith and shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, maintain the original intent and economic benefit to the Employee and the Company of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Code Section 409A.  In

 

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no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed on the Employee by Code Section 409A or damages for failing to comply with Code Section 409A.

 

(ii)                                   A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service” within the meaning of Code Section 409A and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a “termination,” “termination of employment” or like terms shall mean “separation from service.”  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if the Employee is deemed on the termination date to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of that term under Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B), then with regard to any payment or the provision of any benefit that is considered deferred compensation under Code Section 409A payable on account of a “separation from service,” such payment or benefit shall not be made or provided until the date which is the earlier of (A) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of such “separation from service” of the Employee, and (B) the date of the Employee’s death, to the extent required under Code Section 409A.  Upon the expiration of the foregoing delay period, all payments and benefits delayed pursuant to this Section 22(b)(ii)  (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall be paid or reimbursed to the Employee in a lump sum, and any remaining payments and benefits due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein.

 

(iii)                                To the extent that reimbursements or other in-kind benefits under this Agreement constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A, (A) all expenses or other reimbursements hereunder shall be made on or prior to the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expenses were incurred by the Employee, (B) any right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, and (C) no such reimbursement, expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided in any taxable year shall in any way affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year.

 

(iv)                               For purposes of Code Section 409A, the Employee’s right to receive any installment payments pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments.  Whenever a payment under this Agreement specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days, the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of the Company.

 

(v)                                  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall any payment under this Agreement that constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A be subject to offset by any other amount unless otherwise permitted by Code Section 409A.

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

 

 

FARMLAND PARTNERS INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Paul A. Pittman

 

 

 

 

Name:

Paul A. Pittman

 

 

 

 

Title:

Executive Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

FARMLAND PARTNERS OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, LP

 

 

 

By: Farmland Partners OP GP, LLC, its general partner

 

 

 

 

By: Farmland Partners Inc., its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Paul A. Pittman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

Paul A. Pittman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

Executive Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

EMPLOYEE

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Luca Fabbri

 

Luca Fabbri

 

16



 

EXHIBIT A

 

GENERAL RELEASE

 

I,                 , in consideration of and subject to the performance by Farmland Partners Inc., a Maryland corporation (“Farmland”), and Farmland Partners Operating Partnership, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Operating Partnership ” and, together with the Farmland and its subsidiaries, the “ Company ”), of its obligations under the Employment Agreement dated as of April 16, 2014 (the “ Agreement ”), do hereby release and forever discharge as of the date hereof the Company and its respective affiliates and all present, former and future managers, directors, officers, employees, attorneys, advisors, successors and assigns of the Company and its affiliates and direct or indirect owners (collectively, the “ Released Partie s ”) to the extent provided below (this “ General Release ”).  The Released Parties are intended to be third-party beneficiaries of this General Release, and this General Release may be enforced by each of them in accordance with the terms hereof in respect of the rights granted to such Released Parties hereunder.  Terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given to them in the Agreement.

 

1.                                       I understand that any payments or benefits paid or granted to me under Section 8 of the Agreement represent, in part, consideration for signing this General Release and are not salary, wages or benefits to which I was already entitled.  I understand and agree that I will not receive certain of the payments and benefits specified in Section 8 of the Agreement unless I execute this General Release and do not revoke this General Release within the time period permitted hereafter.  Such payments and benefits will not be considered compensation for purposes of any employee benefit plan, program, policy or arrangement maintained or hereafter established by the Company or its affiliates.

 

2.                                       Except as provided in paragraphs 4 and 5 below and except for the provisions of the Agreement which expressly survive the termination of my employment with the Company, I knowingly and voluntarily (for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns) release and forever discharge the Company and the other Released Parties from any and all claims, suits, controversies, actions, causes of action, cross-claims, counter-claims, demands, debts, compensatory damages, liquidated damages, punitive or exemplary damages, other damages, claims for costs and attorneys’ fees, or liabilities of any nature whatsoever in law and in equity, both past and present (through the date that this General Release becomes effective and enforceable) and whether known or unknown, suspected, or claimed against the Company or any of the Released Parties which I, my spouse, or any of my heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, may have, which arise out of or are connected with my employment with, or my separation or termination from, the Company (including, but not limited to, any allegation, claim or violation, arising under:  Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (including the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act); the Equal Pay Act of 1963, as amended; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; the Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; any applicable Executive Order Programs; the Fair Labor Standards Act; or their state or local counterparts; or under any other federal, state or local civil or human rights law, or

 

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under any other local, state, or federal law, regulation or ordinance; or under any public policy, contract or tort, or under common law; or arising under any policies, practices or procedures of the Company; or any claim for wrongful discharge, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, defamation; or any claim for costs, fees, or other expenses, including attorneys’ fees incurred in these matters) (all of the foregoing collectively referred to herein as the “ Claims ”).

 

3.                                       I represent that I have made no assignment or transfer of any right, claim, demand, cause of action or other matters covered by paragraph 2 above.

 

4.                                       I agree that this General Release does not waive or release any rights or claims that I may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 which arise after the date I execute this General Release. I acknowledge and agree that my separation from employment with the Company in compliance with the terms of the Agreement shall not serve as the basis for any claim or action (including, without limitation, any claim under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967).

 

5.                                       I agree that I hereby waive all rights to sue or obtain equitable, remedial or punitive relief from any or all Released Parties of any kind whatsoever in respect of any Claims, including, without limitation, reinstatement, back pay, front pay, and any form of injunctive relief.  Notwithstanding the above, I further acknowledge that I am not waiving and am not being required to waive any right that cannot be waived under law, including the right to file an administrative charge or participate in an administrative investigation or proceeding; provided , however , that I disclaim and waive any right to share or participate in any monetary award resulting from the prosecution of such charge or investigation or proceeding.  Additionally, I am not waiving (i) any right to the Accrued Benefits or any severance benefits to which I am entitled under the Agreement, (ii) any claim relating to directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage or any right of indemnification under the Company’s organizational documents or otherwise, or (iii) my rights as an equity or security holder in the Company or its affiliates.

 

6.                                       In signing this General Release, I acknowledge and intend that it shall be effective as a bar to each and every one of the Claims hereinabove mentioned or implied. I expressly consent that this General Release shall be given full force and effect according to each and all of its express terms and provisions, including those relating to unknown and unsuspected Claims (notwithstanding any state or local statute that expressly limits the effectiveness of a general release of unknown, unsuspected and unanticipated Claims), if any, as well as those relating to any other Claims hereinabove mentioned or implied.  I acknowledge and agree that this waiver is an essential and material term of this General Release and that without such waiver the Company would not have agreed to the terms of the Agreement.  I further agree that in the event I should bring a Claim seeking damages against the Company, or in the event I should seek to recover against the Company in any Claim brought by a governmental agency on my behalf, this General Release shall serve as a complete defense to such Claims to the maximum extent permitted by law.  I further agree that I am not aware of any pending claim of the type described in paragraph 2 above as of the execution of this General Release.

 

7.                                       I agree that neither this General Release, nor the furnishing of the consideration for this General Release, shall be deemed or construed at any time to be an admission by the Company, any Released Party or myself of any improper or unlawful conduct.

 

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8.                                       I agree that if I violate this General Release by suing the Company or the other Released Parties, I will pay all costs and expenses of defending against the suit incurred by the Released Parties, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.

 

9.                                       I agree that this General Release and the Agreement are confidential and agree not to disclose any information regarding the terms of this General Release or the Agreement, except to my immediate family and any tax, legal or other counsel I have consulted regarding the meaning or effect hereof or as required by law, and I will instruct each of the foregoing not to disclose the same to anyone.

 

10.                                Any non-disclosure provision in this General Release does not prohibit or restrict me (or my attorney) from responding to any inquiry about this General Release or its underlying facts and circumstances by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), any other self-regulatory organization or any governmental entity.

 

11.                                I hereby acknowledge that Sections 8 through 13, 17 through 20 and 22 of the Agreement shall survive my execution of this General Release.

 

12.                                I represent that I am not aware of any claim by me other than the claims that are released by this General Release.  I acknowledge that I may hereafter discover claims or facts in addition to or different than those which I now know or believe to exist with respect to the subject matter of the release set forth in paragraph 2 above and which, if known or suspected at the time of entering into this General Release, may have materially affected this General Release and my decision to enter into it.

 

13.                                Notwithstanding anything in this General Release to the contrary, this General Release shall not relinquish, diminish, or in any way affect any rights or claims arising out of any breach by the Company or by any Released Party of the Agreement after the date hereof.

 

14.                                Whenever possible, each provision of this General Release shall be interpreted in, such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this General Release is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this General Release shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

 

BY SIGNING THIS GENERAL RELEASE, I REPRESENT AND AGREE THAT:

 

1.                                       I HAVE READ IT CAREFULLY;

 

2.                                       I UNDERSTAND ALL OF ITS TERMS AND KNOW THAT I AM GIVING UP IMPORTANT RIGHTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, RIGHTS UNDER THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1967, AS AMENDED, TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964, AS

 

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AMENDED; THE EQUAL PAY ACT OF 1963, THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990; AND THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED;

 

3.                                       I VOLUNTARILY CONSENT TO EVERYTHING IN IT;

 

4.                                       I HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE EXECUTING IT AND I HAVE DONE SO OR, AFTER CAREFUL READING AND CONSIDERATION, I HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO DO SO OF MY OWN VOLITION;

 

5.                                       I HAVE HAD AT LEAST [21][45] DAYS FROM THE DATE OF MY RECEIPT OF THIS RELEASE TO CONSIDER IT, AND THE CHANGES MADE SINCE MY RECEIPT OF THIS RELEASE ARE NOT MATERIAL OR WERE MADE AT MY REQUEST AND WILL NOT RESTART THE REQUIRED [21][45] -DAY PERIOD;

 

6.                                       I UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE SEVEN (7) DAYS AFTER THE EXECUTION OF THIS RELEASE TO REVOKE IT AND THAT THIS RELEASE SHALL NOT BECOME EFFECTIVE OR ENFORCEABLE UNTIL THE REVOCATION PERIOD HAS EXPIRED;

 

7.                                       I HAVE SIGNED THIS GENERAL RELEASE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY AND WITH THE ADVICE OF ANY COUNSEL RETAINED TO ADVISE ME WITH RESPECT TO IT; AND

 

8.                                       I AGREE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS GENERAL RELEASE MAY NOT BE AMENDED, WAIVED, CHANGED OR MODIFIED EXCEPT BY AN INSTRUMENT IN WRITING SIGNED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY AND BY ME.

 

 

SIGNED:

 

 

DATED:

 

 

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EXHIBIT 10.4

 

CONSULTING AGREEMENT

 

This Consulting Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of the date of the last party to sign below by and between Farmland Partners Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), and Jesse J. Hough (“ Consultant ”), an individual. The Company desires to retain Consultant as an independent contractor to perform consulting services for the Company, and Consultant is willing to perform such services, on the terms described below. In consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.                                       Term . The term of this Agreement will commence on the date of the completion of the initial public offering of the Company’s common stock (the “ Effective Date ”) and will continue for an initial period of two years (the “ Initial Term ”).  Commencing with the last day of the Initial Term, and on each subsequent anniversary of such date, the term of this Agreement shall be automatically extended for successive one-year periods.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Services (as defined herein) may be earlier terminated in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 hereof. The period of time between the Effective Date and the termination of this Agreement shall be referred to herein as the “ Consulting Term ”).

 

2.                                       Services and Compensation .

 

2.1.                             Services . Consultant will consult with and advise the Company on matters and/or perform services relating to business strategies and related matters, including asset underwriting, asset acquisitions and accounting matters, as well as other matters reasonably requested of Consultant by the Company during the Consulting Term (the “ Services ”).

 

2.2.                             Fees . For Consultant’s performance in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company agrees to pay Consultant an annual fee of $75,000 (the “ Annual Fee ”). The Annual Fee payable to Consultant pursuant to this Agreement shall be payable in four equal quarterly installments within thirty days after each fiscal quarter, with the exception of the first payment hereunder, which shall be pro-rated for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the last day of the fiscal quarter in which the Effective Date occurs.

 

2.3.                             Equity Compensation . Consultant will be eligible to receive grants of equity awards from the Company under its 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “ 2014 Plan ”) or other equity compensation plans the Company adopts in the future. Any grants of equity awards to Consultant will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”), the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “ Compensation Committee ”) or such other committee or person to whom authority to grant equity awards under the plan has been delegated (each a “ Delegatee ”).  The Board, Compensation Committee or Delegatee, as the case may be, shall determine (i) the type or types of equity awards (if any) to be made to Consultant; (ii) the number of shares of the Company’s common stock subject to any equity award; (iii) the terms and conditions of each equity award (including, but not limited to, the exercise price of any stock option, the nature and duration of any restriction or condition (or provision for lapse thereof) relating to the vesting, exercise, transfer, or forfeiture of an award or the shares of the Company’s common stock subject thereto, and the treatment of an award in the event of a change in control or other transaction); (iv) prescribe the form of each award agreement

 



 

evidencing an equity award; and (v) amend, modify, or supplement the terms of any outstanding equity award.

 

3.                                       Termination . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, either the Company or Consultant may terminate this Agreement and the Services for any reason or no reason, and such termination shall be effective on the earlier of the 90 th day after written notice of such termination is provided to the other party in accordance with Section 8.4, and the date the Consulting Term would have ended had no termination notice been provided; provided , however , that the Company may immediately terminate (without any prior notice) this Agreement and the Services for “Cause” under the following circumstances: (i) Consultant’s continued failure to substantially perform duties, or gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with the performance of the Services to the Company or an affiliate of the Company; (ii) conviction or plea of guilty or nolo contendere of a felony or a misdemeanor with respect to which fraud or dishonesty is a major element; (iii) Consultant’s conviction of any other criminal offense involving an act of dishonesty intended to result in substantial personal enrichment of Consultant at the expense of the Company or an affiliate of the Company; or (iv) Consultant’s material breach of any Company policy or term of this Agreement or any other employment, consulting or other services, confidentiality, intellectual property or non-competition agreements, if any, between Consultant and the Company or an affiliate of the Company.

 

4.                                       Section 280G .

 

4.1                                Parachute Limitation .  If Consultant is a “disqualified individual,” as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), then, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or of any other agreement, contract, or understanding heretofore or hereafter entered into by Consultant with the Company (“ Other Agreement ”), and notwithstanding any formal or informal plan or other arrangement for the direct or indirect provision of compensation to Consultant, whether or not such compensation is deferred, is in cash, or is in the form of a benefit to or for Consultant (“ Benefit Arrangement ”), any right to exercise, vesting, payment or benefit to Consultant under this Agreement shall be reduced or eliminated:

 

(a)                 to the extent that such right to exercise, vesting, payment, or benefit, taking into account all other rights, payments, or benefits to or for Consultant under this Agreement, all Other Agreements, and all Benefit Arrangements, would cause any exercise, vesting, payment or benefit to Consultant under this Agreement to be considered a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Code Section 280G(b)(2) as then in effect (a “ Parachute Payment ”); and

 

(b)                 if, as a result of receiving such Parachute Payment, the aggregate after-tax amounts received by Consultant from the Company under this Agreement, all Other Agreements, and all Benefit Arrangements would be less than the maximum after-tax amount that could be received by Consultant without causing any such payment or benefit to be considered a Parachute Payment.

 

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4.2                                Order of Reduction .  The Company shall accomplish such reduction by first reducing or eliminating any cash payments (with the payments to be made furthest in the future being reduced first), then by reducing or eliminating any accelerated vesting of performance awards, then by reducing or eliminating any accelerated vesting of options or stock appreciation rights, then by reducing or eliminating any accelerated vesting of restricted stock or stock units, then by reducing or eliminating any other remaining Parachute Payments.

 

5.                                       Section 409A.   The intent of the parties is that any payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with (or qualify for an exemption from) Code Section 409A and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively “ Code Section 409A ”) and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted accordingly.  To the extent that any provision hereof is modified in order to comply with Code Section 409A, such modification shall be made in good faith and shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, maintain the original intent and economic benefit to Consultant and the Company of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Code Section 409A.  In no event whatsoever shall the Company or any affiliate be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed on Consultant by Code Section 409A or damages for failing to comply with Code Section 409A.

 

6.                                       Covenants of Consultant .

 

6.1.                             Covenant Against Conflicting Obligations; Other Covenants . Consultant acknowledges that (i) the principal business of the Company (which, for purposes of this Section 6 (and any related enforcement provisions hereof), expressly includes its successors and assigns), is the ownership, acquisition and management of agricultural real estate (the “ Business ”); (ii) the Company is one of a limited number of entities that have developed such a business; (iii) Consultant’s work for the Company will give him access to the confidential affairs and proprietary information of the Company; (iv) the covenants and agreements of Consultant contained in this Section 6 are essential to the business and goodwill of the Company; and (v) the Company would not have entered into this Agreement but for the covenants and agreements set forth in this Section 6. Accordingly, Consultant covenants and agrees that:

 

(a)                 By and in consideration of the fees and benefits to be provided by the Company hereunder and further in consideration of Consultant’s exposure to the proprietary information of the Company, Consultant covenants and agrees that, during the Consulting Term, he shall not in the United States, or, if and to the extent that the Business is Actively Conducted (as defined below) outside of the United States, in the applicable non-U.S. locations, directly or indirectly, (i) offer to any person, corporation, partnership or other entity (other than the Company or its Controlled Affiliates) the opportunity to acquire any agricultural real estate without first presenting such opportunity to the Company; (ii) render any consulting or similar services to any person, corporation, partnership or other entity (other than the Company or its Controlled Affiliates) engaged in any element of the Business if such person, corporation, partnership or other entity has assets of greater than $25,000,000.00 (a “ Competing Business ”); or (iii) become interested in any Competing Business as a partner, member, manager, shareholder, principal, agent, employee or trustee; provided , however , that, (i) a Competing Business shall not include any of the corporations, partnerships or other entities listed on Schedule 1 hereto; (ii) notwithstanding anything in this Section 6.1(a) to the contrary, Consultant or entities controlled

 

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by him may acquire, or offer to Paul A. Pittman or entities controlled by Mr. Pittman, agricultural real estate in the townships covered by the Company’s Homestead Exemption Policy as then in effect, subject to the aggregate annual limitations set forth therein; and (iii) notwithstanding anything in this Section 6.1(a) to the contrary, Consultant may own or acquire or otherwise invest in, directly or indirectly, securities of any entity, solely for investment purposes and without participating in the business thereof, if (A) such securities are traded on any national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market, (B) Consultant is not a controlling person of, or a member of a group which controls, such entity and (C) Consultant does not, directly or indirectly, own 5% or more of any class of securities of such entity.  For purposes of this Agreement, the term “ Actively Conducted ” shall mean that the Company actually owns or manages agricultural real estate in the specified location, or has entered into a binding agreement, or a letter of intent, a term sheet, an agreement in principle, or any similar non-binding agreement (which non-binding agreement has not been terminated or expired of its own terms), to purchase or manage agricultural real estate in the specified location. “ Controlled Affiliates ” shall mean any and all entities that the Company directly or indirectly controls; provided that, if after the date hereof there is a reorganization of the Company and a new holding company is established over, and has control of, the Company, then “Controlled Affiliates” shall also include such holding company and any affiliates that are controlled by such new parent.

 

(b)                 During and after the Consulting Term, Consultant shall keep secret and retain in strictest confidence, and shall not use for his benefit or the benefit of others, except in connection with the business and affairs of the Company and its Controlled Affiliates, all confidential matters relating to the Business and the business of any of its Controlled Affiliates and to the Company and any of its Controlled Affiliates, learned by Consultant heretofore or hereafter directly or indirectly from the Company or any of its Controlled Affiliates, including, without limitation, information with respect to (i) sources and non-public methods of raising capital, (ii) non-public information related to joint ventures, institutional funds and the partners or other investors therein, and (iii) any other material, non-public information (the “ Confidential Company Information ”); and shall not disclose such Confidential Company Information to anyone outside of the Company except (w) with the Company’s express written consent, (x) Confidential Company Information which is at the time of receipt or thereafter becomes publicly known through no wrongful act of Consultant or is received from a third party not under an obligation to keep such information confidential and without breach of this Agreement, (y) as required by law or legal process (provided that Consultant shall give the Company reasonable prior written notice of disclosure under this clause (y)), and (z) for disclosures to counsel in the context of seeking legal advice where counsel agrees, for the benefit of the Company, to be bound by the restrictions of this sentence.

 

(c)                  During the Consulting Term, Consultant shall not, without the Company’s prior written consent, directly or indirectly (i) solicit or encourage to leave the employment or other service of the Company, or any of its Controlled Affiliates, any employee or independent contractor of the Company, or (ii) publish any statement or make any statement under circumstances reasonably likely to become public that is critical of the Company or any of its Controlled Affiliates, or in any way adversely affecting or otherwise maligning the Business or the reputation of the Company or any of its Controlled Affiliates ( provided that nothing in this sentence is intended to prevent Consultant from including in his pleadings or from his testimony

 

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any truthful matter to the extent necessary to defend against any claim by the Company or a third party against Consultant, or to prosecute any claim against the Company for a breach of this Agreement).

 

(d)                 All memoranda, notes, lists, records, property and any other tangible product and documents (and all copies thereof), whether visually perceptible, machine-readable or otherwise, made, produced or compiled by Consultant or made available to Consultant concerning the business of the Company or its Controlled Affiliates, (i) shall at all times be the property of the Company (and, as applicable, any Controlled Affiliates) and shall be delivered to the Company at any time upon its request, and (ii) upon the termination of this Agreement, shall be immediately returned to the Company.

 

6.2.                             Rights and Remedies upon Breach . Consultant acknowledges and agrees that any breach by him of any of the provisions of Section 6.1 (the “ Restrictive Covenants ”) would result in irreparable injury and damage for which money damages would not provide an adequate remedy. Therefore, if Consultant breaches, or threatens to commit a breach of, any of the provisions of Section 6.1, the Company and its Controlled Affiliates shall have, in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available to the Company and its Controlled Affiliates under law or in equity (including, without limitation, the recovery of damages), the right and remedy to have the Restrictive Covenants specifically enforced (without posting bond and without the need to prove damages), including, without limitation, the right to restraining orders and injunctions (preliminary, mandatory, temporary and permanent) against violations, threatened or actual, and whether or not then continuing, of such covenants.

 

7.                                       Independent Contractor; Benefits .

 

7.1 .                             Independent Contractor . It is the express intention of the Company and Consultant that Consultant perform the Services as an independent contractor to the Company. Nothing in this Agreement shall in any way be construed to constitute Consultant as, nor shall Consultant as a result of this Agreement be deemed to be, an agent, employee or representative of the Company. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Consultant is not authorized to bind the Company to any liability or obligation or to represent that Consultant has any such authority. Consultant acknowledges and agrees that Consultant is obligated to report as income all compensation received by Consultant pursuant to this Agreement. Consultant agrees to and acknowledges the obligation to pay all self-employment and other taxes on such income.

 

7.2 .                             Benefits . The Company and Consultant agree that Consultant will receive no Company-sponsored benefits from the Company, other than those benefits noted in Section 2.3. If Consultant is reclassified by a state or federal agency or court as Company’s employee, Consultant will become an employee and will receive no benefits from the Company, other than those benefits noted in Section 2.3 and except those mandated by state or federal law, even if by the terms of benefit plans or programs of the Company in effect at the time of such reclassification, Consultant would otherwise be eligible for such benefits.

 

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8.                                       Other Provisions .

 

8.1.                             Severability . Consultant acknowledges and agrees that (i) he has had an opportunity to seek advice of counsel in connection with this Agreement and (ii) the Restrictive Covenants are reasonable in geographical and temporal scope and in all other respects. If it is determined that any of the provisions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, any of the Restrictive Covenants, or any part thereof, is invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the provisions of this Agreement shall not thereby be affected and shall be given full effect, without regard to the portions determined to be invalid or unenforceable.

 

8.2 .                             Scope of Covenants . If any court or other decision-maker of competent jurisdiction determines that any of Consultant’s covenants contained in this Agreement, including, without limitation, any of the Restrictive Covenants, or any part thereof, is unenforceable because of the geographical scope of such provision, then, after such determination has become final and unappealable, the scope of such provision, as the case may be, shall be reduced so that such provision becomes enforceable and, in its reduced form, such provision shall then be enforceable and shall be enforced.

 

8.3 .                             Controversies and Claims . Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach of this Agreement that is not resolved by Consultant and the Company (or its Controlled Affiliates, where applicable) shall be brought and resolved in the state or federal courts located in Colorado, and the parties hereby consent to the jurisdiction and venue of such courts for such purpose. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any judgment of any such court may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction.

 

8.4 .                             Notices . Any notice or other communication required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, telegraphed, telexed, sent by facsimile transmission or sent by certified, registered or express mail, postage prepaid. Any such notice shall be deemed given when so delivered personally, telegraphed, telexed or sent by facsimile transmission or, if mailed, five days after the date of deposit in the United States mails as follows:

 

 

If to the Company, to:

Farmland Partners Inc.

8670 Wolff Court, Suite 240

Westminster, CO 80031

Attention: Chief Executive Officer

Facsimile: (720) 398-3238

 

 

 

 

with a copy to:

Morrison & Foerster LLP

2000 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 6000

Washington, DC 20006

Attention: Justin R. Salon

Facsimile: (202) 887-0763

 

 

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If to Consultant, to:

Jesse J. Hough
8670 Wolff Court, Suite 240
Westminster, CO 80031
Facsimile: (720) 398-3238

 

 

 

 

 

Any such person may by notice given in accordance with this Section 8.4 to the other parties hereto designate another address or person for receipt by such person of notices hereunder.

 

8.5.                             Entire Agreement . This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties regarding the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and negotiations regarding the same.

 

8.6.                             Waivers and Amendments . This Agreement may be amended, superseded, canceled, renewed or extended, and the terms hereof may be waived, only by a written instrument signed by the parties or, in the case of a waiver, by the party waiving compliance. No delay on the part of any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any waiver on the part of any party of any such right, power or privilege nor any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other such right, power or privilege.

 

8.7.                             GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF COLORADO WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW WHICH COULD CAUSE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF COLORADO.

 

8.8.                             Assignment . This Agreement, and Consultant’s rights and obligations hereunder, may not be assigned by Consultant; any purported assignment by Consultant in violation hereof shall be null and void. This Agreement, and the Company’s rights and obligations hereunder, may not be assigned by the Company; any purported assignment by the Company in violation hereof shall be null and void. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) in the event of any sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or business, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, the Company may assign this Agreement and its rights hereunder, and (ii) the Company may assign this Agreement to its Controlled Affiliates.

 

8.9.                             Withholding . The Company shall be entitled to withhold from any payments or deemed payments any amount of tax withholding it determines to be required by law.

 

8.10.                      Binding Effect . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors, permitted assigns, heirs, executors and legal representatives.

 

8.11.                      Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original but all such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Each counterpart may consist of two copies hereof each signed by one of the parties hereto.

 

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8.12.                      Survival . Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the provisions of Sections 3, 4, 5, 6.1(b), 6.2 and 8 (to the extent necessary to effectuate the survival of Sections 3, 4, 5, 6.1(b) and 6.2) of this Agreement shall survive termination of this Agreement and any termination of the Services hereunder.

 

8.13.                      Existing Agreements . Consultant represents to the Company that he is not subject or a party to any employment or consulting agreement, non-competition covenant or other agreement, covenant or understanding which might prohibit him from executing this Agreement or limit his ability to fulfill his responsibilities hereunder.

 

8.14.                      Headings . The headings in this Agreement are for reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement.

 

 

COMPANY :

 

 

 

FARMLAND PARTNERS INC.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

/s/ Luca Fabbri

 

 

Name: Luca Fabbri

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer

 

 

Date:

April 16, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

CONSULTANT:

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jesse J. Hough

 

Jesse J. Hough

 

Date:

April 16, 2014

 

[Signature Page to Consulting Agreement]

 



 

Schedule 1

 

American Agriculture Corporation

Pittman Hough Farms, LLC

PH Land, LLC

Cottonwood Valley Farms, LLC

Hough Farms

Astoria Farms

Pine Ridge Holdings, Inc.

Little Pine Ridge Feed Yard, Inc.

South Fulton Livestock, LLC

Hough Cattle Feeding, LLC

Schuyler Livestock, Inc.

PHS Farms, LLC

BPH Farms, LLC

 


EXHIBIT 10.5

 

SHARED SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

This SHARED SERVICES AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is dated as of April 16, 2014, by and among American Agriculture Corporation, a Colorado corporation (“ American Agriculture ”), Farmland Partners Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ REIT ”), and Farmland Partners Operating Partnership, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Operating Partnership ,” and, together with the REIT, the “ Company ”).

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, American Agriculture currently provides services related to farming and livestock to Pittman Hough Farms, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company (“ Pittman Hough Farms ”), and FP Land LLC, a Delaware limited liability company that is wholly owned by Pittman Hough Farms (“ FP Land ”);

 

WHEREAS, the Company intends to engage in various related transactions (collectively, the “ IPO Transactions ”) pursuant to which, among other things, the Company will effect an initial public offering of shares of its common stock, $0.01 par value per share;

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the IPO Transactions, the Company intends to engage in certain formation transactions (the “ Formation Transactions ”) pursuant to which, among other things, FP Land will merge with and into the Operating Partnership, with the Operating Partnership surviving; and

 

WHEREAS, after the consummation of the IPO Transactions and the Formation Transactions, the Company desires to have American Agriculture continue to provide certain administrative services for the Company similar to those that were provided to Pittman Hough Farms and FP Land.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, subject to the terms, conditions, covenants and provisions of this Agreement, American Agriculture and the Company, intending to be legally bound, mutually covenant and agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

SERVICES PROVIDED

 

1.1 Shared Services . Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, American Agriculture will provide to the Company during the Term (as defined in Section 4.1) each of those services (hereinafter referred to individually as a “ Shared Service ” and collectively as the “ Shared Services ”) set forth in Schedule A attached hereto. If, at any time during the term of this Agreement, the Company deems it necessary or desirable for the operation of its business to have any other service provided to it, then the Company shall notify American Agriculture in writing of such additional service, and the parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to agree on the scope, terms, cost and duration of the additional services. Upon the mutual agreement of the parties regarding the scope, terms and duration of such additional service, the parties shall amend Schedule A attached hereto to reflect the terms of such additional service and shall treat such additional service as a Shared Service for the purposes of this Agreement. At least annually during the Term, the parties shall review the list of Shared Services set forth on Schedule A and make any adjustments as the parties shall mutually agree are necessary or desirable.

 

1.2 Personnel . In providing the Shared Services, American Agriculture may (i) use the personnel of American Agriculture or its affiliates and (ii) employ the services of third parties, subject to the

 



 

Company’s prior approval if the expense of those third parties is to be paid by the Company. The employees, agents and representatives used by American Agriculture in providing the Shared Services shall be under the direction, control and supervision of American Agriculture (or its affiliates), and American Agriculture shall have the sole right to exercise all authority with respect to the employment or engagement (including termination of employment or engagement), assignment and compensation of such employees, agents and representatives. Without limiting the foregoing, each of the REIT and the Operating Partnership acknowledges and agrees that it has no right to require or specify any particular individual to perform any of the Shared Services hereunder, nor does it have a right to prohibit any individual from performing any of the Shared Services so long as such individual is performing comparable services (and at the same level of quality) for American Agriculture or any of its affiliates. The parties recognize that the Company will make all decisions and operating decisions of its business and be solely responsible for the consequences of its decisions and for providing the factual background for American Agriculture to provide the Shared Services.

 

1.3 Level of Transition Services .

 

(a) The Shared Services shall be provided substantially in a manner, at a level of service, and with the same degree of care and diligence, as if such services had been provided to Pittman Hough Farms and to American Agriculture’s internal organization. Nothing in this Agreement shall require American Agriculture to favor the Company’s business over American Agriculture’s own businesses or those of any of its affiliates or subsidiaries; provided that American Agriculture shall accord to the Company no less than the same priority under comparable circumstances as American Agriculture has provided Pittman Hough Farms in accordance with recent past practices.

 

(b) In addition to being subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement for the provision of the Shared Services, American Agriculture, the REIT and the Operating Partnership each agree that the Shared Services provided by third parties shall be subject to the terms and conditions of any agreements between American Agriculture and such third parties. Unless otherwise approved in advance by the Company, the costs of services provided by such third parties shall be paid by American Agriculture and shall not be added to the Annual Fee paid by the Company under Section 2.1 below. Any such agreements entered into after the date hereof shall be on substantially the same conditions as American Agriculture would enter into with such third parties for its own account, and no such agreements shall be binding on the Company after the Term without the Company’s express written consent. American Agriculture shall consult with the Company concerning the terms and conditions of any such agreements to be entered into, or proposed to be entered into, with third parties after the date hereof.

 

(c) The parties acknowledge and agree that the American Agriculture will provide notice to the Company of any upgrades or new equipment that will be utilized to provide the Shared Services hereunder. If the equipment is dedicated or used solely by the Company, and will, without further payment by the Company, become the property of the Company to keep upon termination of this Agreement, the Company will pay all costs associated therewith.

 

1.4 Limitation of Liability .

 

The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that the Shared Services are provided by American Agriculture: (i) at the request of the Company in order to accommodate it following the Formation Transactions, and (ii) with the expectation that American Agriculture is not assuming any implied obligation, control over the REIT or the Operating Partnership, decision-making authority, or financial or operational risks, except for those risks explicitly set forth herein. ACCORDINGLY, EACH PARTY AGREES THAT, ABSENT GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT IN CONNECTION WITH EACH PARTY’S PERFORMANCE HEREUNDER, EACH PARTY, ITS RESPECTIVE

 

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SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES, AND ITS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, REPRESENTATIVES, CONSULTANTS AND AGENTS, SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOST PROFITS OR SAVINGS, WHETHER OR NOT SUCH DAMAGES ARE FORESEEABLE, OR FOR ANY THIRD-PARTY CLAIMS RELATING TO THE SHARED SERVICES OR AMERICAN AGRICULTURE’S PERFORMANCE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL AMERICAN AGRICULTURE’S LIABILITY RELATED TO SERVICES PROVIDED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT EXCEED THE COMPENSATION ACTUALLY PAID TO AMERICAN AGRICULTURE HEREUNDER FOR THE SERVICES PROVIDED. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, AMERICAN AGRICULTURE MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY AS TO MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED HEREUNDER. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the event American Agriculture commits an error with respect to or incorrectly performs or fails to perform any Shared Service, at the Company’s request within a reasonable time thereafter, American Agriculture shall use reasonable efforts and in good faith attempt to correct such error or re-perform or perform such Shared Service at no additional cost to the Company; provided that the Company will still have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 4.3(d) hereof notwithstanding such efforts. Nothing contained in this Section 1.4 shall relieve the REIT and the Operating Partnership of its obligation to pay when due all fees and expenses owed to American Agriculture hereunder.

 

1.5 Indemnity . The REIT and the Operating Partnership jointly and severally agree to indemnify and hold American Agriculture and its subsidiaries and affiliates, successors and assigns, and persons serving as officers, directors, managers, partners or employees, agents or representatives thereof (each an “ American Agriculture Party ”) harmless from and against any damages, liabilities, losses, taxes, fines, penalties, costs and expenses (each, a “ Damage ” and, collectively, the “ Damages ”) (including, without limitation, reasonable fees of counsel) of any kind or nature whatsoever (whether or not arising out of third-party claims and including all amounts paid in investigation, defense or settlement of the foregoing) which may be sustained or suffered by any of them arising out of, in connection with, based on, or by virtue of: (i) any non-fulfillment or breach of any covenant under this Agreement or any gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the REIT and/or the Operating Partnership; (ii) an American Agriculture Party’s performance of its duties hereunder, including, without limitation, an American Agriculture Party’s adherence to instructions given by the Company, or other person who a American Agriculture Party reasonably believes is authorized to act on behalf of the Company; or (iii) any act or failure to act by the Company or by any third party not under the control of American Agriculture to the extent the Damages relate to the subject matter of this Agreement, in each case, except to the extent such Damages are sustained or suffered arising out of, in connection with, based on, or by virtue of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of American Agriculture in performing the Shared Services hereunder. Neither the REIT nor the Operating Partnership will, however, be responsible for any claims, liabilities, losses, damages or expenses which are finally judicially determined to have resulted directly and primarily from American Agriculture’s bad faith or gross negligence.

 

1.6 Force Majeure . Any failure or omission by a party in the performance of any obligation under this Agreement shall not be deemed a breach of this Agreement or create any liability, if the same arises from any cause or causes beyond the control of such party, which are not reasonably foreseeable, including, but not limited to, the following, which, for purposes of this Agreement shall be regarded as beyond the control of each of the parties hereto: acts of God, fire, storm, flood, performance by third parties not contracted by American Agriculture, earthquake, governmental regulation or direction, acts of

 

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the public enemy, war, rebellion, insurrection riot, invasion, strike or lockout; provided, that such party shall perform such obligation whenever such causes are removed.

 

1.7 Modification of Procedures . Subject to the procedure set forth in this Section 1.7 to the extent applicable, American Agriculture may make changes from time to time in its standards and procedures for performing the Shared Services, provided that any such change shall be made with respect to all or a significant portion of such American Agriculture’s business. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, unless American Agriculture reasonably believes such change is required by law, rule or regulation, American Agriculture shall not implement any substantial changes affecting the Company unless American Agriculture gives the Company 10 business days (x) to accept, and adapt its operations to accommodate, such changes or (y) to reject the proposed changes.

 

1.8 No Obligation to Continue to Use Services; American Agriculture to Assist in Transitioning .

 

(a) Upon expiration of the Initial Term (as defined in Section 4.1), the Company shall not be obligated to continue to use any of the Shared Services and may terminate any Shared Service by giving American Agriculture ten (10) days’ prior notice thereof in accordance with the notice provisions herein.

 

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, American Agriculture shall, to the extent reasonably practicable, assist the Company in the Company’s efforts in undertaking to provide for itself any Shared Services, including without limitation giving the Company actual possession of the various documents, data and other records used or useful in the delivery of such Shared Services and taking such other steps as are reasonably necessary to assist the Company to provide for itself such Shared Services on a self-sufficient basis; provided that in no event shall American Agriculture be obligated to provide assistance under this Section 1.9 that would result in more than a de minimis cost to American Agriculture.

 

(c) American Agriculture shall be entitled to reimbursement of reasonable costs and expenses it incurs in connection with the assistance it provides pursuant to this Section 1.8.

 

(d) Upon termination of this Agreement, American Agriculture shall deliver to the Company all documents, records, data and materials relating to the Company’s business and operations that are in the possession or control of American Agriculture. Notwithstanding, American Agriculture shall retain copies of any documents as necessary for regulatory purposes.

 

1.9 Access . To the extent necessary to comply with the terms of this Agreement, each party shall, to the extent permitted by law or regulation, provide personnel of the other party with reasonable access during normal business hours (to the extent practicable) to its equipment, office space, telecommunications and computer equipment and systems, and any other areas and equipment necessary for the performance of the Shared Services hereunder; provided , however , that such access shall not extend to any party’s proprietary information.

 

1.10 The Parties Obligations . During the Term, the Company shall: (i) on a timely basis, comply with any reasonable instructions provided by American Agriculture that are necessary for American Agriculture to adequately provide the Shared Services; (ii) comply with all standards and procedures applicable to such Shared Service which are in the manner generally applied by American Agriculture in its business; (iii) promptly report to American Agriculture any operational or system problem affecting, the provision of any Shared Services to the Company; and (iv) assist and provide all factual information reasonably required by American Agriculture to allow the provision of the Shared Services. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any failure by the Company to perform any of the foregoing shall not alter or diminish American Agriculture’s obligations to provide the Shared Services on the terms set forth herein, except where the failure to so perform has delayed or materially increased American Agriculture’s cost or burden to provide such Shared Service, or where such failure prevents the provision of the Shared

 

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Service in substantially the same manner as previously provided. During the Term , American Agriculture shall, on a timely basis, provide the Shared Services and comply with any reasonable instructions provided by the Company that are necessary for the Company to meet its obligations to third parties, including the timely filing of reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the New York Stock Exchange and any other regulatory agency.

 

1.11 Security Level .  Both American Agriculture and the Company shall, and shall cause their respective affiliates and subsidiaries to, work together to ensure that they are each able to maintain their respective current levels (or, if greater, an industry standard level) of physical and electronic security during the term of this Agreement (including data security and data privacy), and to address any new security-related issues, including compliance with applicable law related to security and issues related to new technologies or threats.

 

1.12 Records, Inspection and Audit Rights .

 

(a) To ensure American Agriculture’s compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries will have the right upon at least five (5) days’ written notice, directly or by their designees, to inspect the books and records and all other documents and material in the possession of or under the control of American Agriculture and its affiliates and subsidiaries with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement at the place or places where such records are normally retained. The Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries and/or their respective designees will have free and full access thereto for such purposes and will be permitted to make copies thereof and extracts therefrom. The parties acknowledge and agree that the Company and its representatives will not have access to records of American Agriculture or its affiliates to the extent such records pertain to American Agriculture’s or its affiliates’ other businesses. If an inspection reveals an overcharge with respect to any third-party cost paid by the Company for any Shared Services, American Agriculture will promptly reimburse the Company for the amount of such overcharge, plus interest, calculated at the rate of five percent (5%) per annum, from the date the overcharge was originally paid by the Company to the date of such reimbursement. All books and records relative to American Agriculture’s obligations hereunder will be maintained and kept accessible and available to the Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries for inspection for at least two (2) years after termination of this Agreement.

 

(b) The parties acknowledge and agree that American Agriculture will provide the Company the same level of backup and disaster recovery capabilities as American Agriculture maintains for its own business. If the Company wishes to acquire additional assistance from American Agriculture with respect to backup or disaster recovery of the Company’s records, the parties will agree in advance on changes to the Annual Fee to accommodate such additional assistance (in accordance with Section 1.1 hereof).

 

1.13 Provision of Services to Pittman Hough Farms . American Agriculture will continue to provide services to Pittman Hough Farms, and shall retain all responsibility for the provision of services to Pittman Hough Farms, after the closing of the IPO Transactions and the Formation Transactions. American Agriculture acknowledges and agrees neither the Company nor any of the Company’s affiliates or subsidiaries shall have any obligation to provide services to Pittman Hough Farms, or owe Pittman Hough Farms any duties or responsibilities.

 

ARTICLE II

COMPENSATION

 

2.1 Consideration . As consideration for the Shared Services, the Company shall pay to American Agriculture an annual fee of $175,000.00 (the “ Annual Fee ”).  The Annual Fee shall be paid in four equal quarterly installments within thirty days after each fiscal quarter, with the exception of the first payment

 

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hereunder, which shall be pro-rated for the period commencing on the Effective Date (defined below) and ending on the last day of the fiscal quarter in which the Effective Date occurs. After the Initial Term, the Annual Fee may be increased or decreased based on the actual costs American Agriculture incurred in connection with providing the Shared Services to the Company during the Initial Term if both parties agree in writing to such increase or decrease; provided that such costs shall not be greater than those that would be payable to outside professionals or consultants engaged to perform services comparable to the Shared Services pursuant to agreements negotiated on an arm’s length basis.

 

2.2 Costs and Expenses . In addition to payment of the Annual Fee, American Agriculture shall be entitled to prompt reimbursement, but in any event, within thirty (30) days, of any out of pocket costs and expenses payable to third parties, approved by the Company in advance, in connection with American Agriculture’s provision of the Shared Services and for any sales, use or excise fees or taxes thereon.

 

ARTICLE III

CONFIDENTIALITY

 

3.1 Obligation . Except if compelled by a court of proper jurisdiction or as required by applicable law or stock exchange regulation, during the Term and for a period of one (1) year thereafter, each party and its subsidiaries shall not use or permit the use of (without the prior written consent of the other party) and shall keep, and shall cause its consultants and advisors to keep, confidential all information (other than information that is in the public domain, is independently developed or is rightly received from a third party who is not known after reasonable inquiry by the disclosing party to be subject to a confidentiality obligation with respect to the disclosed information) concerning the other party and its subsidiaries and affiliates received pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement.

 

3.2 Care and Inadvertent Disclosure . With respect to any confidential information, each party agrees as follows:

 

(a) it shall use the same degree of care in safeguarding said information as it uses to safeguard its own information that must be held in confidence; and

 

(b) upon the discovery of any inadvertent disclosure or unauthorized use of said information, or upon obtaining notice of such a disclosure or use from any other party, it shall take reasonable actions to prevent any other inadvertent disclosure or unauthorized use; and

 

(c) American Agriculture will not disclose or permit disclosure of any such confidential information regarding the Company.

 

ARTICLE IV

TERM

 

4.1 Term . This Agreement shall become effective on the date of the completion of the IPO Transactions (the “ Effective Date ”) and shall remain in force for an initial period of one (1) year (the “ Initial Term ”).  Commencing with the last day of the Initial Term, and on each subsequent anniversary of such date, the term of this Agreement shall be automatically extended for successive one-year periods, unless this Agreement is earlier terminated in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.3 hereof. The period of time between the Effective Date and the termination or expiration of this Agreement shall be referred to herein as the “ Term ”.

 

4.2 Termination of Obligations . The Company agrees and acknowledges that all obligations of American Agriculture to provide each Shared Service shall immediately cease upon the termination or

 

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expiration of this Agreement. The Company shall bear sole responsibility for instituting permanent services, or obtaining replacement services, in respect of any Shared Service terminated in accordance with the provisions hereof, and American Agriculture shall bear no liability for the Company’s failure to implement or obtain such service or for any difficulties, not caused by American Agriculture, in transitioning from the Shared Service to such permanent or replacement service.

 

4.3 Termination . This Agreement may be terminated:

 

(a) at any time pursuant to an agreement in writing signed by each of the parties to this Agreement;

 

(b) by American Agriculture, upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Company of a material breach of the Company’s payment obligations hereunder (unless the breach is cured by full payment within such time period), if the Company fails to timely pay any fee, cost, expense or other amount due to American Agriculture hereunder; provided that, the time period specified in this Section 4.3(b) may be reduced to twenty (20) days, fifteen (15), ten (10), and zero (0) days, upon the second, third, fourth, and fifth failure, respectively, by the Company to timely pay any fee, cost, expense or other amount due under this Agreement to American Agriculture;

 

(c) by American Agriculture, effective immediately upon written notice to the Company, if the Company files, or has filed against it, a petition for voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy or pursuant to any other insolvency law or makes or seeks to make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors or applies for or consents to the appointment of a trustee, receiver or custodian for it or a substantial part of its property;

 

(d) by the Company upon a material breach of this Agreement by American Agriculture, unless the breach is cured within seventy-two (72) hours following written notice from the Company to American Agriculture of the material default in performance of American Agriculture’s material obligations hereunder;

 

(e) by the Company (subject only to the approval of the REIT’s board of directors), effective on January 1 immediately following the fiscal year during which the market capitalization of the Company’s common stock first exceeds $500,000,000, provided that the Company notifies American Agriculture of its intention to terminate this Agreement no later than ten (10) days prior to the Company’s termination of this Agreement; or

 

(f) by the Company, upon three months’ prior written notice to American Agriculture, for any or no reason, following the second anniversary of the Effective Date.

 

4.4 Survival of Certain Obligations . Without prejudice to the survival of the other agreements of the parties, the following obligations shall survive the termination of this Agreement: (a) the obligations of each party under Sections 1.4, 1.5 and 1.13, Article III and Article V and (b) American Agriculture’s right to receive (i) compensation pursuant to Sections 1.8 and 2.1 for services rendered prior to the effective date of termination and (ii) reimbursement of costs and expenses pursuant to Section 2.2 hereunder to the extent incurred prior to the effective date of termination or in connection with any transition agreed to by the parties to this Agreement in connection with such termination.

 

ARTICLE V

MISCELLANEOUS

 

5.1 Complete Agreement: Construction . This Agreement, including Schedule A attached hereto, shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties hereof with respect to the subject matter hereof

 

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and shall supersede all previous negotiations, commitments and writings with respect to such subject matter.

 

5.2 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more such counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties.

 

5.3 Notices . All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and hand delivered or mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) or sent by any means of electronic message transmission with delivery confirmed (by voice or otherwise) to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other addresses for a party as shall be specified by like notice) and will be deemed given on the date on which such notice is received:

 

If to the REIT or the Operating Partnership, to:

 

Farmland Partners Inc.

8670 Wolff Court, Suite 240

Westminster, CO 80031

Attention: Paul A. Pittman

 

If to American Agriculture, to:

 

American Agriculture Corporation

8670 Wolff Court, Suite 240

Westminster, CO 80031

Attention: Paul A. Pittman

 

5.4 Waivers . The failure of any party to require strict performance by any other party of any provision in this Agreement will not waive or diminish that party’s right to demand strict performance thereafter of that or any other provision hereof.

 

5.5 Amendments . This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by an agreement in writing signed by each of the parties hereto.

 

5.6 Assignment . This Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly; provided, however , that (i) either party may assign this Agreement without the other’s consent to any of its direct or indirect parents or subsidiaries and (ii) any party may assign this Agreement to any successor to its business, whether by merger, reorganization or otherwise; provided, further, that any such assignment shall not relieve the assignor of its obligations under this Agreement. Any attempt to assign any rights or obligations arising under this Agreement in contravention with this paragraph shall be null and void ab initio.

 

5.7 Successors and Assigns . The provisions to this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

5.8 Third Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the parties hereto and should not be deemed to confer upon third parties any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, claim of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement.

 

5.9 Title and Headings . Titles and headings to sections herein are inserted for the convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

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5.10 Schedules . The Schedules to this Agreement shall be construed with and as an integral part of this Agreement to the same extent as if the same had been set forth verbatim herein. In the event of any conflict between this Agreement and any Schedule, the terms of such Schedule shall govern.

 

5.11 Governing Law; Dispute Resolution . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland (without regard to its conflicts of law doctrines).

 

5.12 Severability . In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions, the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

5.13 Relationship of Parties . Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed or construed by the parties or any third party as creating a partnership or the relationship of principal and agent or joint venturer between the parties, it being understood and agreed that no provision contained herein, and no act of the parties, shall be deemed to create any relationship between the parties other than the independent contractor relationship of buyer and seller of services nor be deemed to vest any rights, interests or claims in any third parties.

 

5.14 Set Off . Payments required to be made to American Agriculture by either the REIT or the Operating Partnership of any amounts due or to become due hereunder shall not be subject to reduction or setoff for any liability of any nature of American Agriculture to the REIT or the Operating Partnership, as the case may be.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Shared Services Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

 

FARMLAND PARTNERS INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Luca Fabbri

 

 

Name: Luca Fabbri

 

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

 

FARMLAND PARTNERS OPERATING
PARTNERSHIP, LP

 

 

 

 

 

By: Farmland Partners OP GP, LLC, its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

 By: Farmland Partners Inc., its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Luca Fabbri

 

 

 

Name: Luca Fabbri

 

 

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMERICAN AGRICULTURE CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Luca Fabbri

 

 

Name:

Luca Fabbri

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

 

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Schedule A

 

Shared Services

 

·                   Two individual offices, plus reasonable usage of office common areas, inclusive of supplies, printing, utilities, janitorial services and parking;

 

·                   Internet, phone and mobile phone services;

 

·                   Email and online data storage;

 

·                   Accounting software and services, including approximately 50% of a controller’s time; and

 

·                   Administrative and secretarial support.

 


EXHIBIT 10.6

 

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

This INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement” ) is entered into as of                     , 2014, by and among FARMLAND PARTNERS INC., a Maryland corporation (the “Company” or the “Indemnitor” ) and [                    ] (the “Indemnitee” ). See Schedule A for a list of officers and directors who have entered into this Indemnification Agreement with the Company.

 

WHEREAS, the Indemnitee is an officer [or][and] a member of the Board of Directors of the Company and in such [capacity][capacities] is performing a valuable service for the Company;

 

WHEREAS, Maryland law permits the Company to enter into contracts with its officers or members of its Board of Directors with respect to indemnification of, and advancement of expenses to, such persons;

 

WHEREAS, the Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Company (the “Charter” ) provide that the Company shall indemnify and advance expenses to its directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time;

 

WHEREAS, the Bylaws of the Company (the “Bylaws” ) provide that each director and officer of the Company shall be indemnified by the Company to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time and shall be entitled to advancement of expenses consistent with Maryland law; and

 

WHEREAS, to induce the Indemnitee to provide services to the Company as an officer [or][and] a member of the Board of Directors, and to provide the Indemnitee with specific contractual assurance that indemnification will be available to the Indemnitee regardless of, among other things, any amendment to or revocation of the Charter or the Bylaws, or any acquisition transaction relating to the Company, the Indemnitor desires to provide the Indemnitee with protection against personal liability as set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Indemnitor and the Indemnitee hereby agree as follows:

 

1.                                       DEFINITIONS.

 

For purposes of this Agreement:

 

(a)                                  “Change in Control” shall have the meaning ascribed to it by the Company’s 2014 Equity Incentive Plan or any equity incentive or stock compensation plan adopted by the Board of Directors and approved by the stockholders of the Company that may later replace the Company’s 2014 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

(b)                                  “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was a director or officer of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, partner (limited or general), member, director, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust, other enterprise (whether conducted for profit or not for profit) or employee benefit plan. The Company shall be deemed to have requested

 



 

the Indemnitee to serve an employee benefit plan where the performance of the Indemnitee’s duties to the Company also imposes or imposed duties on, or otherwise involves or involved services by, the Indemnitee to the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan.

 

(c)                                   “Expenses” shall include all attorneys’ and paralegals’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, or being or preparing to be a witness in a Proceeding.

 

(d)                                  “Proceeding” includes any action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation (including any internal investigation), administrative hearing, or any other proceeding, including appeals therefrom, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, except one initiated by the Indemnitee pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Agreement to enforce such Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

 

(e)                                   “Special Legal Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, or in the past two years has been, retained to represent (i) the Indemnitor or the Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party, or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder.

 

2.                                       INDEMNIFICATION.

 

The Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this paragraph 2 and under applicable law, the Charter, the Bylaws, any other agreement, a vote of stockholders or resolution of the Board of Directors or otherwise if, by reason of such Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, such Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to any threatened, pending, or completed Proceeding, including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company. Unless prohibited by paragraph 13 hereof and subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, the Indemnitee shall be indemnified hereunder, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, against judgments, penalties, fines, liabilities, and settlements and reasonable Expenses actually incurred by or on behalf of such Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein; provided, however, that if such Proceeding was initiated by or in the right of the Company, indemnification may not be made in respect of such Proceeding if the Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudged to be liable to the Company. For purposes of this paragraph 2, excise taxes assessed on the Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to applicable law shall be deemed fines.

 

3.                                       EXPENSES OF A SUCCESSFUL PARTY.

 

Without limiting the effect of any other provision of this Agreement, including the rights provided for in paragraphs 2 and 4 hereof, and without regard to the provisions of paragraph 6 hereof, to the extent that the Indemnitee is, by reason of such Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, a

 

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party to and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding pursuant to a final non-appealable order, such Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all reasonable Expenses actually incurred by or on behalf of such Indemnitee in connection therewith. If the Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding pursuant to a final non-appealable order but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues, or matters in such Proceeding pursuant to a final non-appealable order, the Indemnitor shall indemnify the Indemnitee against all reasonable Expenses actually incurred by or on behalf of such Indemnitee in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. For purposes of this paragraph and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

 

4.                                       ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES.

 

Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, but subject to paragraph 13 hereof, if the Indemnitee is or was or becomes a party to or is otherwise involved in any Proceeding (including as a witness), or is or was threatened to be made a party to or a participant (including as a witness) in any such Proceeding, by reason of the Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, or by reason of (or arising in part out of) any actual or alleged event or occurrence related to the Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, or by reason of any actual or alleged act or omission on the part of the Indemnitee taken or omitted in or relating to the Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, then the Indemnitor shall advance all reasonable Expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with any such Proceeding within twenty (20) days after the receipt by the Indemnitor of a statement from the Indemnitee requesting such advance from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding; provided that, such statement shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred or to be incurred by the Indemnitee and shall include or be preceded or accompanied by (i) a written affirmation by the Indemnitee of the Indemnitee’s good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Indemnitor as authorized by this Agreement has been met and (ii) a written undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay the amounts advanced if it should ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct has not been met. The undertaking required by clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence shall be an unlimited general obligation of the Indemnitee but need not be secured and may be accepted without reference to financial ability to make the repayment.

 

5.                                       WITNESS EXPENSES.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that the Indemnitee is, by reason of such Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, a witness for any reason in any Proceeding to which such Indemnitee is not a named defendant or respondent, such Indemnitee shall be indemnified by the Indemnitor against all Expenses actually incurred by or on behalf of such Indemnitee in connection therewith.

 

6.                                       DETERMINATION OF ENTITLEMENT TO AND AUTHORIZATION OF INDEMNIFICATION.

 

(a)                                  To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, the Indemnitee shall submit to the Indemnitor a written request, including therewith such documentation and

 

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information reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification.

 

(b)                                  Indemnification under this Agreement may not be made unless authorized for a specific Proceeding after a determination has been made in accordance with this paragraph 6(b) that indemnification of the Indemnitee is permissible in the circumstances because the Indemnitee has met the following standard of conduct: the Indemnitor shall indemnify the Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 2 hereof, unless it is established that: (a) the act or omission of the Indemnitee was material to the matter giving rise to the Proceeding and (x) was committed in bad faith or (y) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; (b) the Indemnitee actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or (c) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. Upon receipt by the Indemnitor of the Indemnitee’s written request for indemnification pursuant to subparagraph 6(a), a determination as to whether the applicable standard of conduct has been met shall be made within the period specified in paragraph 6(e): (i) if a Change in Control shall have occurred, by Special Legal Counsel in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to the Indemnitee, with Special Legal Counsel selected by the Indemnitee (the Indemnitee shall give prompt written notice to the Indemnitor advising the Indemnitor of the identity of the Special Legal Counsel so selected); or (ii) if a Change in Control shall not have occurred, (A) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors not, at the time, parties to the Proceeding, or, if such quorum cannot be obtained, then by a majority vote of a committee of the Board of Directors consisting solely of two or more directors not, at the time, parties to such Proceeding and who were duly designated to act in the matter by a majority vote of the full Board of Directors in which the designated directors who are parties may participate, (B) if the requisite quorum of the full Board of Directors cannot be obtained therefor and the committee cannot be established (or, even if such quorum is obtainable or such committee can be established, if such quorum or committee so directs), by Special Legal Counsel in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, with Special Legal Counsel selected by the Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors by vote as set forth in clause (ii)(A) of this paragraph 6(b) (or, if the requisite quorum of the full Board of Directors cannot be obtained therefor and the committee cannot be established, by a majority of the full Board of Directors in which directors who are parties to the Proceeding may participate) (if the Indemnitor selects Special Legal Counsel to make the determination under this clause (ii), the Indemnitor shall give prompt written notice to the Indemnitee advising him or her of the identity of the Special Legal Counsel so selected) or (C) if so directed by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors, by the stockholders of the Company. If it is so determined that the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to the Indemnitee shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination. Authorization of indemnification and determination as to reasonableness of Expenses shall be made in the same manner as the determination that indemnification is permissible.

 

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However, if the determination that indemnification is permissible is made by Special Legal Counsel under clause (ii)(B) above, authorization of indemnification and determination as to reasonableness of Expenses shall be made in the manner specified under clause (ii)(B) above for the selection of such Special Legal Counsel.

 

(c)                                   The Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person or entity making such determination with respect to the Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to the Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any reasonable costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by the Indemnitee in so cooperating shall be borne by the Indemnitor (irrespective of the determination as to the Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Indemnitor hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold the Indemnitee harmless therefrom.

 

(d)                                  In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Special Legal Counsel pursuant to paragraph 6(b) hereof, the Indemnitee, or the Indemnitor, as the case may be, may, within seven days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Indemnitor or to the Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection. Such objection may be asserted only on the grounds that the Special Legal Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Special Legal Counsel” as defined in paragraph 1 of this Agreement. If such written objection is made, the Special Legal Counsel so selected may not serve as Special Legal Counsel until a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within twenty (20) days after submission by the Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to paragraph 6(a) hereof, no Special Legal Counsel shall have been selected or, if selected, shall have been objected to, either the Indemnitor or the Indemnitee may petition a court for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Indemnitor or the Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Special Legal Counsel and/or for the appointment as Special Legal Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom an objection is so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Special Legal Counsel under paragraph 6(b) hereof. The Indemnitor shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses of Special Legal Counsel incurred in connection with acting pursuant to paragraph 6(b) hereof, and all reasonable fees and expenses incident to the selection of such Special Legal Counsel pursuant to this paragraph 6(d). In the event that a determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Special Legal Counsel and such determination shall not have been made and delivered in a written opinion within ninety (90) days after the receipt by the Indemnitor of the Indemnitee’s request in accordance with paragraph 6(a), upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding in accordance with paragraph 8(a) of this Agreement, Special Legal Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity.

 

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(e)                                   If the person or entity making the determination whether the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within forty-five (45) days after receipt by the Indemnitor of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made and the Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent: (i) a misstatement by the Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make the Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law. Such 45-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional fifteen (15) days, if the person or entity making said determination in good faith requires additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto. The foregoing provisions of this paragraph 6(e) shall not apply: (i) if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by the stockholders and if within fifteen (15) days after receipt by the Indemnitor of the request for such determination the Board of Directors resolves to submit such determination to the stockholders for consideration at an annual or special meeting thereof to be held within seventy-five (75) days after such receipt and such determination is made at such meeting, or (ii) if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Special Legal Counsel pursuant to paragraph 6(b) of this Agreement.

 

7.                                       PRESUMPTIONS.

 

(a)                                  In making a determination with respect to entitlement or authorization of indemnification hereunder, the person or entity making such determination shall presume that the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement and the Indemnitor shall have the burden of proof to overcome such presumption.

 

(b)                                  The termination of any Proceeding by conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, or an entry of an order of probation prior to judgment, creates a rebuttable presumption that the Indemnitee did not meet the requisite standard of conduct described herein for indemnification.

 

8.                                       REMEDIES.

 

(a)                                  In the event that: (i) a determination is made in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 6 that the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, or (ii) advancement of reasonable Expenses is not timely made pursuant to this Agreement, or (iii) payment of indemnification due the Indemnitee under this Agreement is not timely made, the Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication in an appropriate court of competent jurisdiction of such Indemnitee’s entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of Expenses.

 

(b)                                  In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to paragraph 6 of this Agreement that the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this paragraph 8 shall be conducted in all

 

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respects as a de novo trial on the merits. The fact that a determination had been made earlier pursuant to paragraph 6 of this Agreement that the Indemnitee was not entitled to indemnification shall not be taken into account in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this paragraph 8 and the Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced in any way by reason of that adverse determination. In any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this paragraph 8, the Indemnitor shall have the burden of proving that the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses, as the case may be.

 

(c)                                   If a determination shall have been made or deemed to have been made pursuant to this Agreement that the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Indemnitor shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this paragraph 8, absent: (i) a misstatement by the Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make the Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.

 

(d)                                  The Indemnitor shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this paragraph 8 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court that the Indemnitor is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.

 

(e)                                   In the event that the Indemnitee, pursuant to this paragraph 8, seeks a judicial adjudication of such Indemnitee’s rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement, if successful on the merits or otherwise as to all or less than all claims, issues or matters in such judicial adjudication, the Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover from the Indemnitor, and shall be indemnified by the Indemnitor against, any and all reasonable Expenses actually incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter.

 

9.                                       NOTIFICATION AND DEFENSE OF CLAIMS.

 

The Indemnitee agrees promptly to notify the Indemnitor in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information, or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter which may be subject to indemnification or advancement of Expenses covered hereunder, but the failure so to notify the Indemnitor will not relieve the Indemnitor from any liability that the Indemnitor may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement unless the Indemnitor is materially prejudiced thereby. With respect to any such Proceeding as to which Indemnitee notifies the Indemnitor of the commencement thereof:

 

(a)                                  The Indemnitor will be entitled to participate therein at its own expense.

 

(b)                                  Except as otherwise provided below, the Indemnitor will be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee. After notice from the Indemnitor to Indemnitee of the Indemnitor’s election so to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnitor will not be liable to Indemnitee under this

 

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Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation or as otherwise provided below. Indemnitee shall have the right to employ Indemnitee’s own counsel in such Proceeding, but the fees and disbursements of such counsel incurred after notice from the Indemnitor of the Indemnitor’s assumption of the defense thereof shall be at the expense of Indemnitee unless (a) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee has been authorized by the Indemnitor, (b) the Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the Indemnitor and the Indemnitee in the conduct of the defense of such action, (c) such Proceeding seeks penalties or other relief against the Indemnitee with respect to which the Indemnitor could not provide monetary indemnification to the Indemnitee (such as injunctive relief or incarceration) or (d) the Indemnitor shall not in fact have employed counsel to assume the defense of such action, in each of which cases the fees and disbursements of counsel shall be at the expense of the Indemnitor. The Indemnitor shall not be entitled to assume the defense of any Proceeding brought by or on behalf of the Indemnitor, or as to which Indemnitee shall have reached the conclusion specified in clause (b) above, or which involves penalties or other relief against Indemnitee of the type referred to in clause (c) above.

 

(c)                                   The Indemnitor shall not be liable to indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any action or claim effected without the Indemnitor’s written consent. The Indemnitor shall not settle any action or claim in any manner that would impose any penalty or limitation on Indemnitee without Indemnitee’s written consent. Neither the Indemnitor nor Indemnitee will unreasonably withhold or delay consent to any proposed settlement.

 

10.                                NON-EXCLUSIVITY; SURVIVAL OF RIGHTS; INSURANCE SUBROGATION.

 

(a)                                  The rights of indemnification and to receive advancement of reasonable Expenses as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Charter, the Bylaws, any other agreement, a vote of stockholders, a resolution of the Board of Directors or otherwise, except that any payments otherwise required to be made by the Indemnitor hereunder shall be offset by any and all amounts received by the Indemnitee from any other indemnitor or under one or more liability insurance policies maintained by an indemnitor or otherwise and shall not be duplicative of any other payments received by an Indemnitee from the Indemnitor in respect of the matter giving rise to the indemnity hereunder. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or any provision hereof shall be effective as to the Indemnitee with respect to any action taken or omitted by the Indemnitee prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal.

 

(b)                                  To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors and officers of the Company, the Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available and upon any

 

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Change in Control the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain or arrange for continuation and/or “tail” coverage for the Indemnitee to the maximum extent obtainable at such time.

 

(c)                                   In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Indemnitor shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all actions necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Indemnitor to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

(d)                                  The Indemnitor shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder if and to the extent that the Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement, or otherwise.

 

11.                                CONTINUATION OF INDEMNITY.

 

(a)                                  All agreements and obligations of the Indemnitor contained herein shall continue during the period the Indemnitee is an officer or a member of the Board of Directors of the Company and shall continue thereafter so long as the Indemnitee shall be subject to any threatened, pending or completed Proceeding by reason of such Indemnitee’s Corporate Status and during the period of statute of limitations for any act or omission occurring during the Indemnitee’s term of Corporate Status. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Indemnitor and its respective successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the Indemnitee and such Indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators.

 

(b)                                  The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

 

12.                                SEVERABILITY.

 

If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever, (i) the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, and (ii) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provisions held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.

 

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13.                                EXCEPTIONS TO RIGHT OF INDEMNIFICATION OR ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES.

 

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, the Indemnitee shall not be entitled to indemnification or advancement of reasonable Expenses under this Agreement with respect to (i) any Proceeding initiated by such Indemnitee against the Indemnitor other than a proceeding commenced pursuant to paragraph 8 hereof, or (ii) any Proceeding for an accounting of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities of the Company in violation of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, or any similar provisions of any federal, state or local statute.

 

14.                                NOTICE TO THE COMPANY STOCKHOLDERS.

 

Any indemnification of, or advancement of reasonable Expenses, to an Indemnitee in accordance with this Agreement, if arising out of a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company, shall be reported in writing to the stockholders of the Company with the notice of the next Company stockholders’ meeting or prior to the meeting.

 

15.                                HEADINGS.

 

The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.

 

16.                                MODIFICATION AND WAIVER.

 

No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by each of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

 

17.                                NOTICES.

 

All notices, requests, demands, and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (i) delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, or (ii) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so mailed, if so delivered or mailed, as the case may be, to the following addresses:

 

If to the Indemnitee, to the address set forth in the records of the Company.

If to the Indemnitor, to:

Farmland Partners Inc.

8670 Wolff Court, Suite 240

Westminster, Colorado 80031

Attention: Chief Executive Officer

 

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with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Morrison & Foerster LLP

2000 Pennsylvania Avenue

Suite 6000

Washington, DC 20006

Attention: Justin R. Salon, Esq.

Fax: 202-887-0763

Email: JSalon@mofo.com

 

or to such other address as may have been furnished to the Indemnitee by the Indemnitor or to the Indemnitor by the Indemnitee, as the case may be.

 

18.                                GOVERNING LAW.

 

The parties agree that this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Maryland, without application of the conflict of laws principles thereof.

 

19.                                NO ASSIGNMENTS.

 

The Indemnitee may not assign its rights or delegate obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Indemnitor. Any assignment or delegation in violation of this paragraph 19 shall be null and void.

 

20.                                NO THIRD-PARTY RIGHTS.

 

Nothing expressed or referred to in this Agreement will be construed to give any person other than the parties to this Agreement any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or with respect to this Agreement or any provision of this Agreement. This Agreement and all of its provisions are for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties to this Agreement and their successors and permitted assigns.

 

21.                                COUNTERPARTS.

 

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together constitute an agreement binding on all of the parties hereto.

 

[Signature page follows.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

FARMLAND PARTNERS INC.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

INDEMNITEE:

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

Signature Page to Indemnification Agreement

 



 

Schedule A

 

Indemnitee

 

Date

Paul A. Pittman

 

April 16, 2014

Luca Fabbri

 

April 16, 2014

Jay Bartels

 

April 16, 2014

Chris A. Downey

 

April 16, 2014

Dean Jernigan

 

April 16, 2014

Darell D. Sarff

 

April 16, 2014

Robert S. Solomon

 

April 16, 2014

 


EXHIBIT 10.7

 

TAX PROTECTION AGREEMENT

 

THIS TAX PROTECTION AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of April 16, 2014 by and among Farmland Partners Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ REIT ”), Farmland Partners Operating Partnership, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”) and the persons set forth on Schedule 1 hereof (each, a “ Protected Partner ” and collectively, the “ Protected Partners ”).

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “ Merger Agreement ”), dated as of March 24, 2014, by and among Pittman Hough Farms, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company, FP Land LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, the REIT and the Partnership, FP Land LLC merged with and into the Partnership, with the Partnership surviving (the “ Merger ”), and in connection therewith, Pittman Hough Farms LLC received OP Units (the receipt of such OP Units, together with the Merger, the “ Transaction ”);

 

WHEREAS, FP Land LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary, and disregarded entity, of Pittman Hough Farms LLC, and the parties hereto intend, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to treat the Transaction as a transfer of assets by Pittman Hough Farms LLC to the Partnership in exchange for OP Units under Section 721 of the Code; and

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Transaction, the REIT and the Partnership desire to evidence their agreement regarding amounts that may be payable as a result of certain actions taken by the Partnership regarding the disposition of certain of the assets of the Partnership and certain indebtedness of the Partnership, its partners and its Subsidiaries.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein and in the Merger Agreement, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

 

To the extent not otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this Agreement have the meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined above).

 

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Cash Consideration ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(ii).

 

Closing Date ” means the date hereof.

 

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Deficit Restoration Obligation ” or “ DRO ” means a written obligation by a Protected Partner to become a “DRO Partner” as defined in the Partnership Agreement.

 

DRO Amounts ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.8.

 

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Guaranteed Amount ” means the aggregate amount of each Guaranteed Debt that is guaranteed at any time by Partner Guarantors.

 

Guaranteed Debt ” means any loan existing, incurred or assumed by the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries that is guaranteed in whole or in part by Partner Guarantors at any time on or after the Closing Date pursuant to Article III hereof.

 

Merger ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Merger Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Minimum Liability Amount ” means, for each Protected Partner, the amount set forth on Schedule 3.1 hereto next to such Protected Partner’s name, as amended from time to time.

 

Nonrecourse Liability ” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.752-1(a)(2).

 

OP Units ” means units of limited partnership interest of the Partnership owned by the Protected Partners, as described in the Partnership Agreement, and any other partnership interest into which such OP Units may be converted.

 

Partner Guarantor ” means a Protected Partner who has guaranteed any portion of a Guaranteed Debt.  The Partner Guarantors’ dollar amount shares of the Guaranteed Amounts with respect to any Guaranteed Debt shall be as set forth on Schedule 3.3 hereto, as amended from time to time.

 

Partnership ” means Farmland Partners Operating Partnership, LP, a Delaware limited partnership.

 

Partnership Agreement ” means the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, dated as of April 16, 2014, and as the same may be further amended in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

Partnership Interest Consideration ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(ii).

 

Proceeding ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

 

Proposed Regulations ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.10(i).

 

Protected Gain ” shall mean the gain that would be recognized by a Protected Partner under Section 704(c) of the Code in the event of the sale of a Protected Property in a fully taxable transaction pursuant to which an amount of consideration equal to the Section 704(c) Value of such Protected Property, as set forth in Schedule 2.1 hereto, was received.  For purposes of calculating the amount of Section 704(c) gain allocable to a Protected Partner, any “reverse Section 704(c) gain” allocable to such Partner pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3(a)(6) shall not be taken into account unless, as a result of adjustments to the Carrying Value (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) of any Protected Property pursuant to Exhibit B of the Partnership Agreement, all or a portion of the gain recognized by the Partnership that would have

 

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been Section 704(c) gain without regard to such adjustments becomes or is treated as “reverse Section 704(c) gain” or Section 704(b) gain under Section 704 of the Code, in which case such gain shall continue to be treated as Section 704(c) gain.

 

Protected Partner ” means (i) any person set forth on Schedule 1 hereto as a “Protected Partner” and (ii) any person who acquires OP Units from a Protected Partner in a transaction in which gain or loss is not recognized in whole or in part and in which such transferee’s adjusted basis, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is determined in whole or in part by reference to the adjusted basis of a Protected Partner in such OP Units.

 

Protected Property ” means: (i) each of the properties identified as a Protected Property on Schedule 2 hereto; (ii) a direct or indirect interest owned by the Partnership in any Subsidiary that owns an interest in a Protected Property, if the disposition of such interest would result in the recognition of Protected Gain with respect to a Protected Partner; and (iii) any other property that the Partnership directly or indirectly receives that is in whole or in part a “substituted basis property” as defined in Section 7701(a)(42) of the Code with respect to a Protected Property or interest therein.  For the avoidance of doubt, if any Protected Property is transferred to another entity in a transaction in which gain or loss is not recognized, and if the acquiring entity’s disposition of such Protected Property would cause a Protected Partner to recognize gain or loss as a result thereof, such Protected Property shall remain subject to this Agreement.

 

Qualified Guarantee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.

 

Qualified Guarantee Indebtedness ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.

 

REIT ” means Farmland Partners Inc., a Maryland corporation.

 

Section 704(c) Value ” means the fair market value of a Protected Property as set forth next to such Protected Property on Schedule 2.1 and as determined pursuant to this Agreement.  The Partnership initially shall carry each Protected Property on its books at a value equal to the Section 704(c) Value of such Protected Property as set forth herein.

 

Subsidiary ” means any entity in which the Partnership owns a direct or indirect interest.

 

Successor Partnership ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.

 

Tax Claim ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

 

Tax Protection Period ” means (i) with respect to the obligations of the Partnership set forth in Article II hereof, (X) with respect to the Protected Properties listed as Schedule 2(i) Protected Properties on Schedule 2 , the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending at 12:01 AM on the day after the five (5) year anniversary of the Closing Date, and (Y) with respect to the Protected Properties listed as Schedule 2(ii) Protected Properties on Schedule 2 , the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending at 12:01 AM on the day after the seven (7) year anniversary of the Closing Date, and (ii) with respect to the obligations of the Partnership set forth in Article III hereof, the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending at 12:01 AM on the day after the seven (7) year anniversary of the Closing Date; provided , however , that with respect to a Protected Partner, the Tax Protection Periods shall terminate at such time as such

 

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Protected Partner (or one or more successor Protected Partners) has disposed of fifty percent (50%) or more of the OP Units received, directly or indirectly, in the Transaction by such Protected Partner in one or more taxable transactions; provided , further , that the Tax Protection Periods will terminate for all Protected Partners upon the later of the death of Paul A. Pittman or his wife, Julie J. Levenson.

 

Transaction ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

ARTICLE II
RESTRICTIONS ON DISPOSITIONS OF
PROTECTED PROPERTIES

 

2.1                                General Prohibition on Disposition of Protected Properties .  The REIT and the Partnership agree, for the benefit of each Protected Partner and for the term of the applicable Tax Protection Period, not to directly or indirectly sell, exchange, transfer or otherwise dispose of a Protected Property or any interest therein (without regard to whether such disposition is voluntary or involuntary) in a transaction that would cause a Protected Partner to recognize any Protected Gain.  Without limiting the foregoing, (i) any transaction or event that would cause a Protected Partner to recognize gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to any Protected Property or any direct or indirect interest therein will be treated as a disposition of a Protected Property, and (ii) a disposition shall include any transfer, voluntary or involuntary, in a foreclosure proceeding, pursuant to a deed in lieu of foreclosure, or in a bankruptcy proceeding.  In addition, with respect to the Protected Properties listed as Schedule 2(ii) Protected Properties on Schedule 2 hereto, after the expiration of the Tax Protection Period applicable to such Protected Properties, the REIT and the Partnership shall use their best efforts to continue to comply with the obligations of this Article II; provided , however , that with respect to a Protected Partner, such obligation to use best efforts shall terminate at such time as such Protected Partner (or one or more successor Protected Partners) has disposed of fifty percent (50%) or more of the OP Units received, directly or indirectly, in the Transaction by such Protected Partner in one or more taxable transactions; provided , further , that such obligation to use best efforts will terminate for all Protected Partners upon the later of the death of Paul A. Pittman or his wife, Julie J. Levenson.

 

2.2                                Exceptions Where No Gain Recognized .  Notwithstanding the restrictions set forth in Section 2.1, the Partnership may dispose of any Protected Property (or an interest therein) if and to the extent that such disposition qualifies as a like-kind exchange under Section 1031 of the Code, an involuntary conversion under Section 1033 of the Code, or other transaction (including, but not limited to, a contribution of property to any entity that qualifies for the non-recognition of gain under Section 721 or Section 351 of the Code, or a merger or consolidation of the Partnership with or into another entity that qualifies for taxation as a “partnership” for U.S. federal income tax purposes (a “ Successor Partnership ”)) that does not result (in the year of such disposition or in a later year within the Tax Protection Period) in the recognition of any Protected Gain to a Protected Partner.  In further clarification thereof, in the case of a Section 1031 like-kind exchange, if such exchange is with a “related person” within the meaning of Section 1031(f)(3) of the Code, any direct or indirect disposition by such related person of the Protected Property or any other transaction prior to the expiration of the two (2) year period following such exchange and within the Tax Protection Period that would cause

 

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Section 1031(f)(1) of the Code to apply with respect to such Protected Property (including by reason of the application of Section 1031(f)(4) of the Code) and a result of which a Protected Partner recognizes Protected Gain shall be considered a violation of Section 2.1 by the Partnership.

 

2.3                                Dispositions of Encumbered Property .  In the event that, at the time of a disposition of a Protected Property described in Section 2.2, such Protected Property is secured, directly or indirectly, by indebtedness guaranteed by a Partner Guarantor (or for which a Protected Partner otherwise has personal liability) and the transferee is not a “pass-through” Subsidiary of the Partnership that both is one hundred percent (100%) owned, directly or indirectly, by the Partnership and is and will continue to be under the legal control of the Partnership, (a) in the Partnership’s sole discretion, either (I) such indebtedness shall be repaid in full or (II) the Partnership shall obtain from the lenders with respect to such indebtedness a full and complete release of liability for each of the Protected Partners that has guaranteed, or otherwise has liability for, such indebtedness and (b) if such indebtedness is a Guaranteed Debt and the Tax Protection Period with respect to Article III has not expired, the Partnership shall comply with its covenants set forth in Article III below with respect to such Guaranteed Debt and the Partner Guarantors that are considered to have liability for such Guaranteed Debt (determined under Section 3.5 by treating such events as a repayment of the Guaranteed Debt).

 

2.4                                Mergers .

 

(i)                                      For the avoidance of doubt, any merger or consolidation involving the Partnership or any Subsidiary, whether or not the Partnership or Subsidiary is the surviving entity in such merger or consolidation, that results in a Protected Partner recognizing part or all of the Protected Gain shall be deemed a disposition of the Protected Property subject to Section 2.1.

 

(ii)                                   Notwithstanding Section 2.4(i), Section 2.1 shall not apply to a voluntary, actual disposition by a Protected Partner of OP Units in connection with a merger or consolidation of the Partnership pursuant to which (1) the Protected Partner is offered either cash or property treated as cash pursuant to Section 731 of the Code (“ Cash Consideration ”) or partnership interests (“ Partnership Interest Consideration ”) and the receipt of such partnership interests would not result in the recognition of gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes by the Protected Partner; (2) the Protected Partner has the right to elect to receive solely Partnership Interest Consideration in exchange for his OP Units, an election to receive solely Partnership Interest Consideration would not adversely affect the Protected Partner (viewed objectively and relative to an election to receive Cash Consideration) and the continuing partnership has agreed in writing to assume the obligations of the Partnership under this Agreement; (3) no Protected Gain is recognized by the Partnership as a result of any partner of the Partnership receiving Cash Consideration; and (4) the Protected Partner elects or is deemed to elect to receive Cash Consideration.

 

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ARTICLE III
ALLOCATION OF LIABILITIES; GUARANTEE OPPORTUNITY
AND DEFICIT RESTORATION OBLIGATIONS

 

3.1                                Maintenance of Indebtedness .

 

(i)                                      During the Tax Protection Period, the Partnership shall maintain an amount of indebtedness sufficient to allow each Protected Partner, after taking advantage of the provisions of this Article III, to be allocated Partnership liabilities for purposes of Section 752 of the Code, and to be “at risk” with respect to Partnership liabilities for purposes of Section 465 of the Code, in each case in an amount no less than such Protected Partner’s Minimum Liability Amount.

 

(ii)                                   During the Tax Protection Period, the Partnership shall use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain an amount of indebtedness treated as Nonrecourse Liabilities for purposes of Section 752 such that each Protected Partner shall be allocated Partnership liabilities under Treasury Regulations Section 1.752-3 in an amount no less than such Protected Partner’s Minimum Liability Amount.

 

(iii)                                After the expiration of the Tax Protection Period, the REIT and the Partnership shall use their best efforts to continue to comply with the obligations of this Article III and Section 6.1; provided , however , that with respect to a Protected Partner, such obligation to use best efforts shall terminate at such time as such Protected Partner (or one or more successor Protected Partners) has disposed of fifty percent (50%) or more of the OP Units received, directly or indirectly, in the Transaction by such Protected Partner in one or more taxable transactions; provided , further , that such obligation to use best efforts will terminate for all Protected Partners upon the later of the death of Paul A. Pittman or his wife, Julie J. Levenson.

 

3.2                                Minimum Liability Allocations .  During the Tax Protection Period, the Partnership will offer to each Protected Partner, at the Protected Partner’s option, the opportunity (i) to enter into a “bottom dollar guarantee” (whether individually or as part of a group of partners) of indebtedness of the Partnership or a wholly-owned “pass-through” Subsidiary of the Partnership or (ii) in the event the Partnership has sufficient recourse debt outstanding, to enter into a DRO, in such amount or amounts so as to cause the amount of Partnership liabilities allocated to such Protected Partner for purposes of Section 752 of the Code to be not less than such Protected Partner’s Minimum Liability Amount and to cause the amount of Partnership liabilities with respect to which such Protected Partner will be considered to be “at risk” for purposes of Section 465 of the Code to be not less than such Protected Partner’s Minimum Liability Amount.  In order to minimize the need for Protected Partners to enter into guarantees or DROs, the Partnership will use the optional method under Treasury Regulations Section 1.752-3(a)(3) to allocate Nonrecourse Liabilities considered secured by any property acquired by the Partnership pursuant to the Transaction to and for the benefit of the Protected Partners to the extent that the “built-in gain” allocable to the Protected Partner under Section 704(c) of the Code with respect to such property exceeds the amount of the Nonrecourse Liabilities considered secured by such property allocated to the Protected Partners under Treasury Regulations Section 1.752-3(a)(2).  A bottom dollar guarantee or a DRO entered into

 

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by a Protected Partner pursuant to this Section 3.2 shall, for purposes of this Agreement, be presumed to cause a Protected Partner to be allocated an amount of liabilities equal to such Protected Partner’s Guaranteed Amounts of Guaranteed Debt or such Protected Partner’s DRO Amount, as applicable, for purposes of Sections 465 and 752 of the Code.

 

3.3                                Qualified Guarantee Indebtedness and Qualified Guarantee; Treatment of Qualified Guarantee Indebtedness as Guaranteed Debt .  In order for an offer by the Partnership of an opportunity to guarantee indebtedness to satisfy the requirements of Section 3.2: (1) the indebtedness to be guaranteed also must satisfy conditions (i) through (vi) set forth in this Section 3.3 (indebtedness satisfying all such conditions is referred to as “ Qualified Guarantee Indebtedness ”); (2) the guarantee by the Partner Guarantors must be pursuant to a Guarantee Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Schedule 3.7 or containing substantially similar terms and conditions if the lender of the indebtedness to be guaranteed requires use of its form guarantee agreement that satisfies the conditions set forth in Sections 3.3(i) and (iii) below (a “ Qualified Guarantee ”); (3) the amount of indebtedness offered to be guaranteed by the Partner Guarantor, if pursuant to Section 3.5, must not exceed the portion of the Guaranteed Amount for which a replacement guarantee is being offered; and (4) the indebtedness to be guaranteed must be considered indebtedness of the Partnership for purposes of determining the adjusted tax basis of the interests of partners in the Partnership in their OP Units.  If, and to the extent that, a Protected Partner elects to guarantee Qualified Guarantee Indebtedness pursuant to an offer made in accordance with this Article III, such indebtedness thereafter shall be considered a Guaranteed Debt of the Partnership and subject to all of this Article III.

 

The conditions that must be satisfied at all times with respect to any Guaranteed Debt offered pursuant to this Article III hereof and the guarantees with respect thereto are as follows:

 

(i)                                      each such guarantee shall be a “bottom dollar guarantee” in that the lender for the Guaranteed Debt is required to pursue all other collateral and security for the Guaranteed Debt (other than any bottom dollar guarantees permitted pursuant to this Article III) prior to seeking to collect on such a guarantee, and the lender shall have recourse against the guarantee only if, and solely to the extent that, the total amount recovered by the lender with respect to the Guaranteed Debt after the lender has exhausted its remedies as set forth above is less than the aggregate of the Guaranteed Amounts with respect to such Guaranteed Debt (plus the aggregate amounts of any other guarantees (x) that are in effect with respect to such Guaranteed Debt at the time the guarantees pursuant to this Article III are entered into, or (y) that are entered into after the date the guarantees pursuant to this Article III are entered into with respect to such Guaranteed Debt and that comply with Section 3.6 below, but only to the extent that, in either case, such guarantees are bottom dollar guarantees with respect to the Guaranteed Debt), and the maximum aggregate liability of each Partner Guarantor for all Guaranteed Debt shall be limited to the amount actually guaranteed by such Partner Guarantor;

 

(ii)                                   the Partnership reasonably believes the fair market value of the collateral (not including any guarantees) against which the lender has recourse pursuant to the Guaranteed Debt, determined as of the time the guarantee is entered into (an independent appraisal relied upon by the lender in making the loan will be conclusive evidence of such fair market value when the guarantee is being entered into in connection with the closing of such loan), is not less

 

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than 150% of the sum of (1) the aggregate of the Guaranteed Amounts with respect to such Guaranteed Debt, plus (2) the dollar amount of any other indebtedness that is senior to or pari passu with the Guaranteed Debt and as to which the lender thereunder has recourse against property that is collateral of the Guaranteed Debt, plus (3) the aggregate amounts of any other guarantees that are in effect with respect to such Guaranteed Debt at the time the guarantees pursuant to this Article III are entered into with respect to such Guaranteed Debt and that comply with Section 3.3(v) below, but only to the extent that such guarantees are “bottom dollar guarantees” with respect to the Guaranteed Debt;

 

(iii)                                (A) the executed guarantee must be executed by and delivered to the lender, (B) the Partnership shall have used commercially reasonably efforts to obtain an acknowledgement by the lender of the execution of the guarantee by the Partner Guarantor, and (C) the guarantee must be enforceable under the laws of the state governing the loan and in which the property securing the loan is located;

 

(iv)                               as to each Partner Guarantor that is executing a guarantee pursuant to this Agreement, there must be no other person that would be considered to “bear the economic risk of loss,” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.752-2, or would be considered to be “at risk” for purposes of Section 465(b), with respect to that portion of such debt for which such Partner Guarantor is being made liable for purposes of satisfying the Partnership’s obligations to such Partner Guarantor under this Article III;

 

(v)                                  the aggregate Guaranteed Amounts with respect to the Guaranteed Debt will not exceed 25% of the amount of the Guaranteed Debt outstanding at the time the guarantee is executed.  Except for guarantees already in place at the time a guarantee opportunity is presented to the Protected Partners, at no time can there be guarantees with respect to the Guaranteed Debt that are provided by other persons that are pari passu with or at a lower level of risk than the guarantees provided by the Protected Partners.  If there are guarantees already in place at the time a guarantee opportunity is presented to the Protected Partners that are pari passu with or at a lower level of risk than the guarantees provided by the Protected Partners, then the amount of Guaranteed Debt subject to such existing guarantees shall be added to the Guaranteed Amount for purposes of calculating the 25% limitation set forth in this Section 3.3(v); and

 

(vi)                               the obligor with respect to the Guaranteed Debt is the Partnership or a “pass-through” Subsidiary in which the Partnership owns, directly and indirectly, 100% of the economic interests and which is and will continue to be under the legal control of the Partnership.

 

The Partnership shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of Sections 3.3(i), (ii) and (vi) if, in lieu of offering a bottom dollar guarantee of indebtedness secured by specific properties, it offers a bottom dollar guarantee (or an indemnity of an existing guarantor) of a general unsecured obligation of the Partnership which is recourse, without limitation, to all of the assets of the Partnership and is made by a third-party institutional lender with financial covenants that are standard for such a loan.

 

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3.4                                Covenant With Respect to Guaranteed Debt Collateral .  The Partnership covenants with each Partner Guarantor with respect to any Guaranteed Debt that (A) it will comply with the requirements set forth in Section 2.3 upon any disposition of any collateral for a Guaranteed Debt, whether during or following the Tax Protection Period, and (B) it will not at any time, whether during or following the Tax Protection Period, pledge the collateral for a Guaranteed Debt to secure any other indebtedness (unless such other indebtedness is, by its terms, subordinate in all respects to the Guaranteed Debt for which such collateral is security) or otherwise voluntarily dispose of or reduce the amount of such collateral unless either (i) after giving effect thereto the conditions in Section 3.3 would continue to be satisfied with respect to the Guaranteed Debt and the Guaranteed Debt otherwise would continue to be Qualified Guarantee Indebtedness, or (ii) the Partnership (A) obtains from the lender with respect to the original Guaranteed Debt a full and complete release of any Partner Guarantor unless the Partner Guarantor expressly requests that it not be released, and (B) if the Tax Protection Period has not expired, offers to each Partner Guarantor with respect to such original Guaranteed Debt, not less than 30 days prior to such pledge or disposition, the opportunity to enter into a Qualified Guarantee of other Partnership indebtedness that constitutes Qualified Guarantee Indebtedness (with such replacement indebtedness thereafter being considered a Guaranteed Debt and subject to this Article III) or, in the event the Partnership has sufficient recourse indebtedness and the Protected Partner agrees in lieu of entering into a Qualified Guarantee of replacement indebtedness to enter into a DRO in an amount equal to the amount of such original Guaranteed Debt that was guaranteed by such Partner Guarantor.

 

3.5                                Repayment or Refinancing of Guaranteed Debt .  The Partnership shall not, at any time during the Tax Protection Period applicable to a Partner Guarantor, repay or refinance all or any portion of any Guaranteed Debt or otherwise take any action that would result in a decrease in the amount of Partnership liabilities allocated to a Partner Guarantor, unless (i) after taking into account such repayment or other action, each Partner Guarantor would be entitled, pursuant to Section 752 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, to include in its adjusted tax basis for its OP Units an amount of Partnership liabilities at least equal to its Minimum Liability Amount or (ii) alternatively, the Partnership, not less than 30 days prior to such repayment, refinancing or other action, offers to the applicable Partner Guarantors at their election the opportunity either (A) to enter into a Qualified Guarantee with respect to other indebtedness of the Partnership or a wholly-owned “pass-through” Subsidiary of the Partnership or (B) in the event the Partnership has sufficient recourse debt outstanding and the Protected Partner agrees, in lieu of entering into a Qualified Guarantee pursuant to clause (A) above, to enter into a DRO, in either case in an amount sufficient so that, taking into account such guarantees of such other indebtedness or DROs and taking into account the presumption in the last sentence of Section 3.2, each such Partner Guarantor would be entitled, pursuant to Section 752 and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, to include in its adjusted tax basis for its OP Units an amount of Partnership liabilities equal to the Minimum Liability Amount for such Partner Guarantor.

 

3.6                                Limitation on Additional Guarantees with respect to Debt Secured by Collateral for Guaranteed Debt .  The Partnership shall not offer the opportunity or make available to any person or entity other than a Protected Partner a guarantee of any Guaranteed Debt or other debt that is secured, directly or indirectly, by any collateral for Guaranteed Debt unless (i) such debt by its terms is subordinate in all respects to the Guaranteed Debt or, if such

 

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other guarantees are of the Guaranteed Debt itself, such guarantees by their terms must be paid in full before the lender can have recourse to the Partner Guarantors ( i.e. , the first dollar amount of recovery by the applicable lenders must be applied to the Guaranteed Amount); provided that the foregoing shall not apply with respect to additional guarantees of Guaranteed Debt so long as the conditions set forth in Sections 3.3(ii) and (v) would be satisfied immediately after the implementation of such additional guarantee (determined in the case of Section 3.3(ii), based upon the fair market value of the collateral for such Guaranteed Debt at the time the additional guarantee is entered into and adding the amount of such additional guarantee(s) to the sum of the applicable Guaranteed Amounts plus any other preexisting bottom dollar guarantees previously permitted pursuant to this Section 3.6 or Sections 3.4(i) and (ii) above, for purposes of making the computation provided for in Section 3.3(ii)), and (ii) such other guarantees do not have the effect of reducing the amount of the Guaranteed Debt that is includible by any Partner Guarantor in its adjusted tax basis for its OP Units pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.752-2.

 

3.7                                Presumption as to Schedule 3.7 .  A guarantee in the form of the Guarantee Agreement attached hereto as Schedule 3.7 that is (A) properly executed by the Partner Guarantor and (B) delivered to the lender shall be conclusively presumed to satisfy the conditions set forth in Section 3.3(i) and 3.3(iii) and to have caused the Guaranteed Debt to be considered allocable to the Protected Partner who enters into such Guarantee Agreement pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.752-2 so long as all of the following conditions are met with respect such Guaranteed Debt:

 

(i)                                      there are no other guarantees in effect with respect to such Guaranteed Debt (other than the guarantees contemporaneously being entered into by the Partner Guarantors pursuant to this Article III or that are otherwise permitted pursuant to 3.3(i) and (v));

 

(ii)                                   the collateral securing such Guaranteed Debt is not, and shall not thereafter become, collateral for any other indebtedness that is senior to or pari passu with such Guaranteed Debt;

 

(iii)                                no additional guarantees with respect to such Guaranteed Debt will be entered into during the applicable Tax Protection Period pursuant to the proviso set forth in Section 3.6;

 

(iv)                               the lender with respect to such Guaranteed Debt is not the Partnership, any Subsidiary or other entity in which the Partnership owns a direct or indirect interest, the REIT, any other partner in the Partnership, or any person related to any partner in the Partnership as determined for purposes of Treasury Regulations Section 1.752-2 or any person that would be considered a “related person” as determined for purposes of Section 465 of the Code; and

 

(v)                                  none of the REIT, nor any other partner in the Partnership, nor any person related to any partner in the Partnership as determined for purposes of Treasury Regulations Section 1.752-2 shall have provided, or shall thereafter provide, collateral for, or otherwise shall have entered into, or shall thereafter enter into, a relationship that would cause such person to be considered to bear the economic risk of loss with respect to such Guaranteed Debt, as determined for purposes of Treasury Regulations Section 1.752-2 or that would cause such person to be

 

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considered “at risk” with respect to such Guaranteed Debt, as determined for purposes of Section 465 of the Code.

 

3.8                                Deficit Restoration Obligation .  In the event a Protected Partner has elected to enter into a DRO, the Partnership will maintain an amount of indebtedness of the Partnership that would be considered “recourse” indebtedness of the Partnership at least equal to the sum of the “DRO Amounts” (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) of all Protected Partners (plus, the DRO Amounts, if any, of other partners in the Partnership).  A DRO entered into by a Protected Partner pursuant to this Agreement shall be presumed, for purposes of this Agreement, to cause the Protected Partner to be allocated an amount of liabilities equal to the DRO Amount of such Protected Partner for purposes of Sections 465 and 752 of the Code provided that (1) the Partnership maintains an amount of debt that is considered “recourse” indebtedness (determined for purposes of Section 752 of the Code) equal to the aggregate DRO Amounts of all partners of the Partnership and (2) all other terms and conditions of the Partnership Agreement with respect to such DRO are met.

 

3.9                                Process .  Whenever the Partnership is required under this Article III to offer to a Protected Partner an opportunity to guarantee indebtedness or enter into a DRO, the Partnership shall be considered to have satisfied its obligation if the other conditions in this Article III are satisfied and, not less than thirty (30) days prior to the date that such guarantee or DRO would be required to be executed in order to satisfy this Article III, the Partnership sends by first class certified mail to the last known address of such Protected Partner (as reflected in the records of the Partnership) a guarantee agreement or, if such Protected Partner has agreed to enter into a DRO, a consent to DRO form to be executed, and a brief letter explaining the relevant circumstances (including, as applicable, that the offer is being made pursuant to this Article III, the circumstances giving rise to the offer, a brief summary of the terms of the indebtedness to be guaranteed (or, in the case of a DRO, the terms of the Partnership recourse debt), a brief description of the collateral for the indebtedness, a statement of the amount to be guaranteed (or DRO amount), the address to which the executed guarantee agreement (or consent to DRO form) must be sent and the date by which it must be received, and a statement to the effect that, if the Protected Partner fails to execute and return such guarantee agreement (or consent to DRO form) within the time period specified, the Protected Partner thereafter would lose its rights under this Article III with respect to the amount of debt that the Partnership is required to offer to be guaranteed (or that would be subject to the DRO) and depending upon the Protected Partner’s circumstances and other circumstances related to the Partnership, the Protected Partner could be required to recognize taxable gain as a result thereof, either currently or prior to the expiration of the Tax Protection Period, that otherwise would have been deferred).  If a notice is properly sent in accordance with this procedure, the Partnership shall have no responsibility as a result of the failure of a Protected Partner either to receive such notice or to respond thereto within the specified time period.

 

3.10                         Change in Law .

 

(i)                                      Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, due to a change in law, a Protected Partner reasonably believes that such Protected Partner may no longer continue to be allocated such Protected Partner’s Guaranteed Amount of a Guaranteed Debt, such Protected Partner may request a modification of such Guarantee Agreement and the Partnership will use its

 

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commercially reasonable efforts to work with the lender with respect to such Guaranteed Debt to have the Guarantee Agreement amended in a manner that will permit such Protected Partner to be allocated such Protected Partner’s Guaranteed Amount with respect to the Guaranteed Debt, or,  in the event the Partnership has sufficient recourse debt outstanding, such Protected Partner, at its option, shall be offered the opportunity to enter into a DRO in an amount equal to such Guaranteed Amount so that, assuming such DRO is effective under applicable law, the amount of Partnership liabilities allocated to such Protected Partner shall not decrease as a result of the change in law.  Furthermore, if, due to a change in law, a Protected Partner reasonably believes such Protected Partner may no longer continue to be allocated Partnership liabilities equal to such Protected Partner’s DRO Amount, such Protected Partner may request a modification of the terms of such DRO and the Partnership will use commercially reasonable efforts to modify such DRO in a manner that will permit such Protected Partner to be allocated Partnership liabilities in an amount equal to such Protected Partner’s DRO Amount.

 

(ii)                                   The Protected Partners acknowledge that the U.S. Department of Treasury has issued proposed Treasury Regulations (79 F.R. 4826 (Jan. 30, 2014)) addressing the allocation of partnership liabilities under Section 752 of the Code (the “ Proposed Regulations ”).  If the Proposed Regulations are finalized in their current form, a Protected Partner would not be allocated Partnership liabilities solely as a result of entering into a Qualified Guarantee.  For the avoidance of doubt, if the Proposed Regulations are finalized in their current form (or there is any other change in law), the Partnership shall have no liability to a Protected Partner hereunder by virtue of the Qualified Guarantee failing, in itself and as a result of finalization or other change, to provide the Protected Partner an allocation of Partnership liabilities, provided the Partnership has complied in full with the provisions of this Article III.

 

ARTICLE IV
REMEDIES FOR BREACH

 

4.1                                Monetary Damages .  In the event the Partnership or a Subsidiary breaches its obligations set forth in Article II or Article III with respect to a Protected Partner, the Protected Partner’s sole right shall be to receive from the Partnership, and the Partnership shall pay to the Protected Partner as damages, an amount equal to:

 

(i)                                      in the case of a violation of Article III, the aggregate federal, state and local income taxes (including any applicable federal unearned income Medicare contribution under Section 1411 of the Code) incurred by the Protected Partner as a result of the income or gain allocated to, or otherwise recognized by, such Protected Partner by reason of such breach; and

 

(ii)                                   in the case of a violation of Article II, the aggregate federal, state, and local income taxes (including any applicable federal unearned income Medicare contribution under Section 1411 of the Code) incurred with respect to the Protected Gain incurred with respect to the Protected Property that is allocable to such Protected Partner under the Partnership Agreement;

 

plus, in either case, an additional amount so that, after the payment by such Protected Partner of all federal, state and local income taxes on amounts received pursuant to this Section 4.1

 

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(including any tax liability incurred as a result of such Protected Partner’s receipt of such indemnity payment), such Protected Partner has received an amount equal to its total federal, state and local income tax liability incurred as a result of such breach.

 

For purposes of computing the amount of federal, state, and local income taxes required to be paid by a Protected Partner, (i) any deduction for state and local income taxes payable as a result thereof that is actually allowed shall be taken into account, and (ii) a Protected Partner’s tax liability shall be computed using the highest federal, state and local marginal income tax rates that would be applicable to such Protected Partner’s taxable income (taking into account the character of such income or gain) for the year with respect to which the taxes must be paid, and, except as described in clause (i), without regard to any deductions, losses or credits that may be available to such Protected Partner that would reduce or offset its actual taxable income or actual tax liability if such deductions, losses or credits could be utilized by the Protected Partner to offset other income, gain or taxes of the Protected Partner, either in the current year, in earlier years, or in later years.

 

4.2                                Process for Determining Damages .  If the Partnership or a Subsidiary has breached or violated any of the covenants set forth in Article II or Article III (or a Protected Partner asserts that the Partnership or a Subsidiary has breached or violated any of the covenants set forth in Article II or Article III), the Partnership and the Protected Partner agree to negotiate in good faith to resolve any disagreements regarding any such breach or violation and the amount of damages, if any, payable to such Protected Partner under Section 4.1.  If any such disagreement cannot be resolved by the Partnership and such Protected Partner within (i) 60 days after the receipt of notice from the Partnership of such breach pursuant to Section 4.3, (ii) 60 days after the receipt of a notice from the Protected Partner that the Partnership or a Subsidiary has breached its obligations under this Agreement, which notice shall set forth the amount of income asserted to be recognized by the Protected Partner and the payment required to be made to such Protected Partner under Section 4.1 as a result of the breach, (iii) 10 days following the date that the Partnership notifies the Protected Partner of its intention to settle, compromise and/or concede any Tax Claim or Proceeding pursuant to Section 7.2, or (iv) 10 days following any final determination of any Tax Claim or Proceeding, the Partnership and the Protected Partner shall jointly retain a nationally recognized big four independent public accounting firm (an “ Accounting Firm ”) to act as an arbitrator to resolve as expeditiously as possible all points of any such disagreement (including, without limitation, whether a breach of any of the covenants set forth in Article II and Article III has occurred and, if so, the amount of damages to which the Protected Partner is entitled as a result thereof, determined as set forth in Section 4.1).  All determinations made by the Accounting Firm with respect to the resolution of any breach or violation of any of the covenants set forth in Article II and Article III and the amount of damages payable to the Protected Partner under Section 4.1 shall, subject to any subsequent Tax Claim or Proceeding, and subject to the last sentence of this Section 4.2, be final, conclusive and binding on the Partnership and the Protected Partner.  The fees and expenses of any Accounting Firm incurred in connection with any such determination shall be shared equally by the Partnership and the Protected Partner, provided that if the amount determined by the Accounting Firm to be owed by the Partnership to the Protected Partner is more than 5% higher than the amount proposed by the Partnership to be owed to such Protected Partner prior to the submission of the matter to the Accounting Firm, then all of the fees and expenses of any Accounting Firm incurred in connection with any such determination shall be paid by the Partnership, and if the

 

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amount determined by the Accounting Firm to be owed by the Partnership to the Protected Partner is less than 95% of the amount proposed by the Protected Partner to be owed to the Protected Partner prior to the submission of the matter to the Accounting Firm then all fees and expenses of any Accounting Firm incurred in connection with any such determination shall be paid by the Protected Partner.  In the case of any Tax Claim or Proceeding that is resolved pursuant to a final determination or that is settled, compromised and/or conceded pursuant to Section 7.2, the amount of taxes due to the Internal Revenue Service or other taxing authority shall, to the extent that such taxes relate to matters covered in this Agreement, be presumed to be damages resulting from a breach of this Agreement, and the amount of any such damages shall be increased by any interest and penalties required to be paid by the Protected Partner with respect to such taxes (other than interest and penalties resulting from a failure of the Protected Partner to timely and properly file any tax return or to timely pay any tax, unless such failure resulted solely from the Protected Partner reporting and paying its taxes in a manner consistent with the Partnership) so that the amount of the damages under Section 4.1 shall not be less than the amount required to be paid to the Internal Revenue Service or other taxing authority that pertains to matters covered in this Agreement.

 

4.3                                Required Notices; Time for Payment .  In the event that there has been a breach of Article II or Article III, the Partnership shall provide to each affected Protected Partner notice of the transaction or event giving rise to such breach, along with a calculation of the amount of income to be recognized by any Protected Partner and the amount required to be paid to such Protected Partner under Section 4.1 by reason thereof, not later than 30 days following the date that the Partnership becomes aware that such transaction or event constitutes a breach of this Agreement.  All payments required to be made under Section 4.1 to any Protected Partner shall be made to such Protected Partner on or before April 15 of the year following the year in which the transaction or event giving rise to such payment took place; provided that if the Protected Partner is required to make estimated tax payments that are required to be calculated by reference to any income resulting from such transaction or event, the Partnership shall make a payment to the Protected Partner on or before the due date for such estimated tax payment, and such payment from the Partnership shall be in an amount that corresponds to the amount of the estimated tax required to be paid by such Protected Partner with respect to such income at such time; provided further that any payment required to be made under Section 4.1 to any Protected Partner resulting from a Tax Claim or Proceeding shall be made on or before the date that the relevant taxes are required to be paid as a result of any final determination of such Tax Claim or Proceeding or any settlement, compromise and/or concession of such Tax Claim or Proceeding pursuant to Section 7.2.  In the event of a payment made after the date required pursuant to this Section 4.3, interest shall accrue on the aggregate amount required to be paid from such date to the date of actual payment at a rate equal to the “prime rate” of interest, as published in the Wall Street Journal (or if no longer published there, as announced by Citibank) effective as of the date the payment is required to be made plus 10%, but not to exceed the maximum amount permitted by law.

 

ARTICLE V
SECTION 704(C) METHOD AND ALLOCATIONS

 

5.1                                Application of “Traditional Method.”   Notwithstanding any provision of the Partnership Agreement to the contrary, the Partnership shall use the “traditional method” under

 

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Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3(b) for purposes of making all allocations under Section 704(c) of the Code with respect to the Protected Properties.

 

ARTICLE VI
ALLOCATIONS OF LIABILITIES PURSUANT TO TREASURY REGULATIONS UNDER SECTION 752

 

6.1                                Allocation Methods to be Followed .  All tax returns prepared by the Partnership with respect to the Tax Protection Period that allocate liabilities of the Partnership for purposes of Section 752 and the Treasury Regulations thereunder shall allocate such liabilities in a manner such that, to the greatest extent permitted under applicable law, each Protected Partner is allocated an amount of liabilities equal to or greater than its Minimum Liability Amount.

 

6.2                                Treatment of Farmland Partners OP GP, LLC .  For the avoidance of doubt, the REIT and the Partnership shall treat Farmland Partners OP GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as a “disregarded entity” having no “net value” for purposes of Treasury Regulations Section 1.752-2(k), and shall take (or refrain from taking) such actions as are necessary to continue such treatment, such that, as of the date of the Merger, the REIT shall not be treated as bearing the economic risk of loss for any of the liabilities of the Partnership for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-2.

 

ARTICLE VII
TAX PROCEEDINGS

 

7.1                                Notice of Tax Audits .  If any claim, demand, assessment (including a notice of proposed assessment) or other assertion is made with respect to Taxes against any Protected Partner or the Partnership the calculation of which involves a matter covered in this Agreement or the income tax treatment of the Transaction (a “ Tax Claim ”), or if the REIT or the Partnership receives any notice from any jurisdiction with respect to any current or future audit, examination, investigation or other proceeding involving the Protected Partners or the Partnership or that otherwise could involve a matter covered in this Agreement and could directly or indirectly affect (adversely or otherwise) the Protected Partners (a “ Proceeding ”), then (i) in the case of a notification of a Tax Claim or Proceeding received by the REIT or the Partnership, the REIT or the Partnership, as applicable, shall promptly notify the Protected Partners of such Tax Claim or Proceeding, but in no event later than 20 business days after receipt of such notice, and (ii) in the case of a notification of a Tax Claim or Proceeding received by any Protected Partner, or any notice of any current or future audit, examination, investigation or other proceeding received by a Protected Partner that involves or could involve a matter covered in this Agreement or the income tax treatment of the Transaction, the Protected Partner shall promptly notify the Partnership of such Tax Claim, Proceeding, or other notice, but in no event later than 20 business days after receipt of such notice.

 

7.2                                Control of Tax Proceedings .  The Partnership shall have the right to control the defense, settlement or compromise of any Proceeding or Tax Claim; provided , however , that the Partnership shall keep the Protected Partners duly informed of the progress thereof to the extent that such Proceeding or Tax Claim could directly or indirectly affect (adversely or otherwise) the Protected Partners; the Protected Partners shall have the right to participate in such Proceeding or

 

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Tax Claim at their own expense; and the Partnership shall not settle, compromise and/or concede such Proceeding or Tax Claim without the prior written consent of the Protected Partners, which written consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned.

 

ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT; WAIVER OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS; APPROVAL OF CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

 

8.1                                Amendment .  This Agreement may not be amended, directly or indirectly (including by reason of a merger between the Partnership and another entity) except by a written instrument signed by the REIT, as general partner of the Partnership, and each of the Protected Partners.

 

8.2                                Waiver .  Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon written request by the Partnership, each Protected Partner in its sole discretion, may waive the payment of any damages that is otherwise payable to such Protected Partner pursuant to Article IV hereof.  Such a waiver shall be effective only if obtained in writing from the affected Protected Partner.

 

ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS

 

9.1                                Additional Actions and Documents .  Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees to take or cause to be taken such further actions, to execute, deliver, and file or cause to be executed, delivered and filed such further documents, and will obtain such consents, as may be necessary or as may be reasonably requested in order to fully effectuate the purposes, terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

9.2                                Assignment .  No party hereto shall assign its or his rights or obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in part, except by operation of law, without the prior written consent of the other parties hereto, and any such assignment contrary to the terms hereof shall be null and void and of no force and effect.  Notwithstanding the foregoing and for the avoidance of doubt, in the event a Protected Partner transfers its OP Units in a transaction described in clause (ii) of the definition of “Protected Partner,” such transferee of such OP Units shall become a Protected Partner for purposes of this Agreement.

 

9.3                                Successors and Assigns .  This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Protected Partners and their respective successors and permitted assigns, whether so expressed or not.  This Agreement shall be binding upon the REIT, the Partnership, and any entity that is a direct or indirect successor (including a Successor Partnership), whether by merger, transfer, spin-off or otherwise, to all or substantially all of the assets of either the REIT or the Partnership (or any prior successor thereto as set forth in the preceding portion of this sentence), provided, that none of the foregoing shall result in the release of liability of the REIT and the Partnership hereunder.  The REIT and the Partnership covenant with and for the benefit of the Protected Partners not to undertake (directly or indirectly) a merger or consolidation involving the Partnership (or any Subsidiary) and a Successor Partnership, or any other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of either the REIT or the Partnership (whether by merger, spin-off or transfer, including a transfer by a Subsidiary, or otherwise),

 

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unless the transferee has in writing acknowledged and agreed to be bound by this Agreement, provided, that the foregoing shall not be deemed to permit any transaction otherwise prohibited by this Agreement.

 

9.4                                Captions .  The Article and Section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only, shall not be deemed to be a part of this Agreement for any purpose, and shall not in any way define or affect the meaning, construction or scope of any of the provisions hereof.

 

9.5                                Notices .  All notices and other communications given or made pursuant hereto shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made as of the date delivered, mailed or transmitted, and shall be effective upon receipt, if delivered personally, mailed by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like changes of address) or sent by electronic transmission to the telecopier number specified below:

 

(i)                                      if to the Partnership, or the REIT, to:

 

Farmland Partners Operating Partnership, LP
c/o Farmland Partners Inc.
8670 Wolff Court, Suite 240
Westminster, Colorado 80031

 

(ii)                                   if to a Protected Partner, to the address on file with the Partnership.

 

Each party may designate by notice in writing a new address to which any notice, demand, request or communication may thereafter be so given, served or sent.  Each notice, demand, request, or communication which shall be hand delivered, sent, mailed, or faxed in the manner described above, shall be deemed sufficiently given, served, sent, received or delivered for all purposes at such time as it is delivered to the addressee (with the return receipt, the delivery receipt, or (with respect to a facsimile) the answerback being deemed conclusive, but not exclusive, evidence of such delivery) or at such time as delivery is refused by the addressee upon presentation.

 

9.6                                Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and each of which shall be deemed an original.

 

9.7                                Governing Law .  The interpretation and construction of this Agreement, and all matters relating thereto, shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the choice of law provisions thereof.

 

9.8                                Consent to Jurisdiction; Enforceability .

 

(i)                                      This Agreement and the duties and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be enforceable against any of the parties in the courts of the State of Delaware.  For such purpose, each party hereto hereby irrevocably submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of such

 

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courts and agrees that all claims in respect of this Agreement may be heard and determined in any of such courts.

 

(ii)                                   Each party hereto hereby irrevocably agrees that a final judgment of any of the courts specified above in any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.

 

9.9                                Severability .  If any part of any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable in any respect, such part shall be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability only, without in any way affecting the remaining parts of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

 

9.10                         Costs of Disputes .  Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement, the nonprevailing party in any dispute arising hereunder shall bear and pay the costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by the prevailing party or parties in connection with resolving such dispute.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the REIT, the Partnership and each Protected Partner, have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective officers (or general partners) thereunto duly authorized officers and representatives all as of the date first written above.

 

 

FARMLAND PARTNERS INC. ,

 

a Maryland corporation

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Luca Fabbri

 

 

Name: Luca Fabbri

 

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

FARMLAND PARTNERS OPERATING
PARTNERSHIP, LP
,

 

a Delaware limited partnership

 

 

 

By:

FARMLAND PARTNERS OP GP, LLC , its sole
General Partner

 

 

 

By:

FARMLAND PARTNERS INC. , its
sole Member

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Luca Fabbri

 

 

Name: Luca Fabbri

 

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

PITTMAN HOUGH FARMS LLC,
a Colorado limited liability company and
the initial protected partner

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Paul A. Pittman

 

 

Name: Paul A. Pittman

 

 

Title: Manager

 

 

 

 

Signature Page to Tax Protection Agreement

 

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EXHIBIT 10.8

 

Registration Rights Agreement

 

THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of April 16, 2014 by and among FARMLAND PARTNERS INC., a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), and Pittman Hough Farms LLC, a Colorado limited liability company (the “ Initial Holder ”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company intends to engage in various related transactions (collectively, the “ IPO Transactions ”) pursuant to which, among other things, the Company will effect an initial public offering of shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Common Stock ”);

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the IPO Transactions, the Company intends to engage in certain formation  transactions (the “ Formation Transactions ”) pursuant to which, among other things, FP Land LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ FP Land ”), which is owned 100% by the Initial Holder, will merge with and into Farmland Partners Operating Partnership, LP , a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Operating Partnership ”), and the Initial Holder will receive an aggregate of 1,945,000 units of limited partnership in the Operating Partnership (such units, the “ OP Units ”) on the closing date of the Formation Transactions in exchange for their respective interests in FP Land, as set forth on Schedule I attached hereto; and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of Section 8.6 and the other related provisions of the Seconded Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership (such agreement, as amended from time to time, the “ Partnership Agreement ”), commencing on the first anniversary of the date of issuance, and subject to the various limitations contained in the Partnership Agreement and other instruments being delivered in connection with the Formation Transactions, the Initial Holder will be entitled to redeem their OP Units for cash or, at the Company’s election, for shares of Common Stock;

 

WHEREAS, the Company has agreed to grant to the Initial Holder (and its permitted assignees and transferees) the registration rights described in this Agreement (the “ Registration Rights ”).

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, in consideration of the foregoing, the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged, hereby agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1.                            DEFINITIONS

 

The following capitalized terms used herein have the following meanings:

 

Agreement ” is defined in the preamble hereof.

 

Business Day ” any Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday other than a day on which banks and other financial institutions are authorized or required to be closed for business in the State of New York.

 



 

Charter ” means the Company’s Articles of Amendment and Restatement, as amended from time to time.

 

Commission ” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Common Stock ” is defined in the recitals hereof.

 

Company ” is defined in the preamble hereof.

 

Formation Transactions ” is defined in the recitals hereof.

 

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

FP Land ” is defined in the recitals hereof.

 

Holder ” means (a) the Initial Holder who is the record or beneficial owner of any Registrable Security or (b) any assignee or transferee of such Initial Holder (including as a result of any assignment or transfer in connection with the foreclosure on any loans secured by the Registrable Securities).

 

Initial Holder ” is defined in the preamble hereof.

 

IPO Closing Date ” means the closing date of the Company’s initial public offering of its Common Stock.

 

IPO Transactions ” is defined in the recitals hereof.

 

OP Units ” is defined in the recitals hereof.

 

Operating Partnership ” is defined in the recitals hereof.

 

Partnership Agreement ” is defined in the recitals hereof.

 

Person ” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, estate, trust, unincorporated association, any federal, state, county or municipal government or any bureau, department or agency thereof and any fiduciary acting in such capacity on behalf of any of the foregoing.

 

Prospectus ” means the prospectus or prospectuses included in the Registration Statement contemplated by Section 2.1 hereof, including any documents incorporated therein by reference.

 

Redemption Shares ” means the shares of Common Stock issued to Holders upon redemption of OP Units held by such Holders.

 

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Registrable Securities ” means the Redemption Shares and any shares of Common Stock issued to a Holder with respect to the Redemption Shares by way of share dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization or otherwise and any shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion, exercise or exchange thereof.

 

Registration Rights ” is defined in the recitals hereof.

 

Registration Statement ” is defined in Section 2.1 hereof.

 

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Suspension Event ” is defined in Section 2.2(a)  hereof.

 

SECTION 2.                          REGISTRATION RIGHTS

 

2.1                                        Issuer Registration Statement .

 

Subject to Section 2.2 hereof, following the date on which the Company becomes eligible to use a registration statement on Form S-3 for the registration of securities under the Securities Act, the Company shall file with the Commission a registration statement and related prospectus (the “ Registration Statement ”) that comply as to form in all material respects with applicable Commission rules providing for the registration of the issuance of the Registrable Securities to such Holders upon redemption of OP Units held by such Holders and the subsequent resale of such Registrable Securities by such Holders.  The Company agrees (subject to Section 2.2 hereof) to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registration Statement, if filed, to be declared effective by the Commission as soon as practicable after the filing thereof.

 

Subject to Section 2.2 hereof, the Company agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Registration Statement continuously effective (including the preparation and filing of any amendments and supplements necessary for that purpose) until the earlier of (i) the date that is three years after the date of effectiveness of such Registration Statement, (ii) the date on which all of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement are eligible for sale without registration pursuant to Rule 144 (or any successor provision) under the Securities Act without volume limitations or other restrictions on transfer thereunder, or (iii) the date on which the Holder or Holders consummate the sale of all of the Registrable Securities registered under such Registration Statement.  In the event that the Registrable Securities are issued to any Holder (other than an “affiliate,” as defined by Rule 144 under the Securities Act, of the Company) by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement, the Company shall be deemed to have satisfied all of its registration obligations under this Agreement in respect of such Registrable Securities.

 

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2.2                                Suspension of Offering .

 

(a)                                  Notwithstanding Section 2.1 hereof, the Company shall be entitled to postpone the filing of the Registration Statement, and from time to time to require Holders not to sell under the Registration Statement or to suspend the effectiveness thereof, if (i) the Company is actively pursuing an underwritten primary offering of equity securities of the Company, or (ii) the negotiation or consummation of a transaction by the Company or its subsidiaries is pending or an event has occurred, which negotiation, consummation or event would require additional disclosure by the Company in the Registration Statement of material information which the Company has a bona fide business purpose for keeping confidential and the non-disclosure of which in the Registration Statement would be expected, in the Company’s reasonable determination, to cause the Registration Statement to fail to comply with applicable disclosure requirements under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act (each such circumstance a “ Suspension Event ”); provided , however , that the Company may not delay, suspend or withdraw such Registration Statement for more than 90 days at any one time, or more than twice in any 12-month period.  Upon receipt of any written notice from the Company of the happening of any Suspension Event during the period the Registration Statement is effective or if as a result of a Suspension Event the Registration Statement or related Prospectus contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made (in the case of the Prospectus) not misleading, each Holder agrees that (x) it will immediately discontinue offers and sales of the Registrable Securities under such Registration Statement until the Holder receives copies of a supplemental or amended Prospectus (which the Company agrees to promptly prepare) that corrects the misstatement(s) or omission(s) referred to above and receives notice that any post-effective amendment has become effective or unless otherwise notified by the Company that it may resume such offers and sales, and (y) it will maintain the confidentiality of any information included in the written notice delivered by the Company unless otherwise required by law or subpoena.  If so directed by the Company, each Holder will deliver to the Company all copies of the Prospectus covering the Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice, other than permanent file copies then in the possession of such Holder’s counsel.

 

(b)                                  If all reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to the Exchange Act have not been filed by the required date taking into account any permissible extension, upon written notice thereof by the Company to the Holders, the rights of the Holders to offer, sell or distribute any Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement or to require the Company take action with respect to the registration or sale of any Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement shall be suspended until the date on which the Company has filed such reports, and the Company shall notify the Holders in writing as promptly as practicable when such suspension is no longer required.

 

2.3                                Qualification . The Company shall file such documents as necessary to register or qualify the Registrable Securities to be covered by the Registration Statement by the time such Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission under all applicable state securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions as any Holder may reasonably request in writing, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to keep each such registration or qualification effective during the period such Registration Statement is required to be kept

 

4



 

effective pursuant to this Agreement or during the period offers or sales are being made by the Holders, whichever is shorter, and to do any and all other similar acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the Holders to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in each such jurisdiction; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to (i) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction or to register as a broker or dealer in such jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Agreement, (ii) take any action that would cause it to become subject to any taxation in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be subject to such taxation or (iii) take any action that would subject it to the general service of process in any jurisdiction where it is not then so subject.

 

2.4                                Additional Obligations of the Company . When the Company is required to effect the registration of Registrable Securities under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 2.1 of this Agreement, subject to Section 2.2 hereof, the Company shall:

 

(a)                                  prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary (i) to keep such Registration Statement effective and (ii) to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement, in each case for such time as is contemplated in Section 2.1 ;

 

(b)                                  furnish, without charge, to the Holders such number of copies of the Registration Statement, each amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits), and the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary Prospectus), in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act as the Holders may reasonably request in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by the Holders;

 

(c)                                   notify the Holders: (i) when the Registration Statement, any pre-effective amendment, the Prospectus or any prospectus supplement related thereto or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed, and, with respect to the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective, (ii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the initiation or threat of any proceedings for that purpose, and (iii) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of any Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or “blue sky” laws of any jurisdiction or the initiation of any proceeding for such purpose;

 

(d)                                  promptly use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, and, if any such order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement is issued, shall promptly use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of such order at the earliest possible moment;

 

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(e)                                   Until the sooner of completion, abandonment or termination of the offering or sale contemplated by the Registration Statement and related Prospectus and the expiration of the period during which the Company is required to maintain the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under Section 2.1, promptly notify the Holders: (i) of the existence of any fact of which the Company is aware or the happening of any event which has resulted in (A) the Registration Statement, as then in effect, containing an untrue statement of a material fact or omitting to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make any statements therein not misleading or (B) the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement containing an untrue statement of a material fact or omitting to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make any statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (ii) of the Company’s reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement would be appropriate or that there exist circumstances not yet disclosed to the public which make further sales under such Registration Statement inadvisable pending such disclosure and post-effective amendment; and, if the notification relates to any event described in either of the clauses (i) or (ii) of this Section 2.4(e) , at the request of the Holders, the Company shall prepare and, to the extent the exemption from the prospectus delivery requirements in Rule 172 under the Securities Act is not available, furnish to the Holders a reasonable number of copies of a supplement or post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement or related Prospectus or file any other required document so that (1) such Registration Statement shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and (2) as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities being sold thereunder, such Prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

 

(f)                                    use commercially reasonable efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on the national securities exchange on which the Common Stock are then listed, if the listing of Registrable Securities is then permitted under the rules of such national securities exchange; and

 

(g)                                   if requested by any Holder participating in the offering of Registrable Securities, incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information concerning the Holder or the intended method of distribution as the Holder reasonably requests to be included therein and is reasonably necessary to permit the sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement, including, without limitation, information with respect to the number of Registrable Securities being sold, the purchase price being paid therefor and any other material terms of the offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering; provided , however , that the Company shall not be obligated to include in any such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment any requested information that is not required by the rules of the Commission and is unreasonable in scope compared with the Company’s most recent prospectus or prospectus supplement used in connection with a primary or secondary offering of equity securities by the Company.

 

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2.5                                Obligations of the Holder .  In connection with any Registration Statement utilized by the Company to satisfy the Registration Rights pursuant to this Section 2 , each Holder agrees to cooperate with the Company in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement, and each Holder agrees that it will (i) respond within 10  Business Days to any written request by the Company to provide or verify information regarding the Holder or the Holder’s Registrable Securities (including the proposed manner of sale) that may be required to be included in such Registration Statement and related Prospectus pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Commission, and (ii) provide in a timely manner information regarding the proposed distribution by the Holder of the Registrable Securities and such other information as may be requested by the Company from time to time in connection with the preparation of and for inclusion in the Registration Statement and related Prospectus.

 

SECTION 3.                          INDEMNIFICATION; CONTRIBUTION

 

3.1                                Indemnification by the Company.   The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder and each Person, if any, who controls any Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and any of their partners, members, officers, trustees, employees or representatives, as follows:

 

(i)                                      against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage, judgment and expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) pursuant to which the Registrable Securities were registered under the Securities Act, including all documents incorporated therein by reference, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), including all documents incorporated therein by reference, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

 

(ii)                                   against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage, judgment and expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company; and

 

(iii)                                against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, in each case whether or not a party, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any

 

7



 

such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under subparagraph (i) or (ii) above;

 

provided , however , that the indemnity provided pursuant to this Section 3.1 does not apply to any Holder with respect to any loss, liability, claim, damage, judgment or expense to the extent arising out of (A) any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Holder expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or (B) any Holder’s failure to deliver an amended or supplemental Prospectus furnished to such Holder by the Company, if such loss, liability, claim, damage, judgment or expense would not have arisen had such delivery occurred.

 

3.2                                Indemnification by Holder . Each Holder (and each permitted assignee of such Holder, on a several basis) severally and not jointly agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, and each of its trustees and officers (including each trustee and officer of the Company who signed a Registration Statement), each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and each other Holder as follows:

 

(i)                                      against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage, judgment and expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) pursuant to which the Registrable Securities of such Holder were registered under the Securities Act, including all documents incorporated therein by reference, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), including all documents incorporated therein by reference, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

 

(ii)                                   against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage, judgment and expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of such Holder; and

 

(iii)                                against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, in each case whether or not a party, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any

 

8



 

such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under subparagraph (i) or (ii) above;

 

provided , however , that the indemnity provided pursuant to this Section 3.2 shall only apply with respect to any loss, liability, claim, damage, judgment or expense to the extent arising out of (A) any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Holder expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or (B) any Holder’s failure to deliver an amended or supplemental Prospectus furnished to the Holder by the Company, if such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense would not have arisen had such delivery occurred.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 3.2 , a Holder and any permitted assignee shall not be required to indemnify the Company, its officers, trustees or control persons with respect to any amount in excess of the amount of the net proceeds actually received by such Holder or such permitted assignee, as the case may be, from sales of the Registrable Securities of such Holder under the Registration Statement that is the subject of the indemnification claim.

 

3.3                                Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings .  An indemnified party hereunder shall give reasonably prompt notice to the indemnifying party of any action or proceeding commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify the indemnifying party (i) shall not relieve the indemnifying party from any liability which it may have under the indemnity agreement provided in Sections 3.1 or 3.2 above, unless and only to the extent it did not otherwise learn of such action and the lack of notice by the indemnified party results in the forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial rights and defenses, and (ii) shall not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying party from any obligations to any indemnified party other than the indemnification obligation provided under Sections 3.1 or 3.2 above.  If the indemnifying party so elects within a reasonable time after receipt of such notice, the indemnifying party may assume the defense of such action or proceeding at such indemnifying party’s own expense with counsel chosen by the indemnifying party and approved by the indemnified party, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided , however , that the indemnifying party will not settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any such action or proceeding without the written consent of the indemnified party unless such settlement, compromise or consent secures the unconditional release of the indemnified party of all liability at no cost or expense to the indemnified party; and provided further , that, if the indemnified party reasonably determines that a conflict of interest exists where it is advisable for the indemnified party to be represented by separate counsel or that, upon advice of counsel, there may be legal defenses available to it which are different from or in addition to those available to the indemnifying party, then the indemnifying party shall not be entitled to assume such defense and the indemnified party shall be entitled to separate counsel at the indemnifying party’s expense. If the indemnifying party is not entitled to assume the defense of such action or proceeding as a result of the second proviso to the preceding sentence, the indemnifying party’s counsel shall be entitled to conduct the indemnifying party’s defense and counsel for the indemnified party shall be entitled to conduct the defense of the indemnified party, it being understood that both such counsel will cooperate with each other to conduct the defense of such action or proceeding as efficiently as possible. If the indemnifying party is not so

 

9



 

entitled to assume the defense of such action or does not assume such defense, after having received the notice referred to in the first sentence of this paragraph, the indemnifying party will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the indemnified party. In such event, however, the indemnifying party will not be liable for any settlement effected without the written consent of the indemnifying party (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld). If an indemnifying party is entitled to assume, and assumes, the defense of such action or proceeding in accordance with this paragraph, the indemnifying party shall not be liable for any fees and expenses of counsel for the indemnified party incurred thereafter in connection with such action or proceeding.

 

3.4                                Contribution .

 

(a)                                  In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in circumstances in which the indemnity agreement provided for in Sections 3.1 and 3.2 above is for any reason held to be unenforceable by the indemnified party although applicable in accordance with its terms, the Company and the relevant Holder shall contribute to the aggregate losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses of the nature contemplated by such indemnity agreement incurred by the Company and the Holder, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Holder on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or expenses.  The relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, has been made by, or relates to information supplied by, the indemnifying party or the indemnified party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action.

 

(b)                                  The parties hereto agree that it would not be just or equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 3.4 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 3.4 , a Holder shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount of the net proceeds actually received by such Holder from sales of the Registrable Securities of such Holder under the Registration Statement that is the subject of the indemnification claim.

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 3.4 , each Person, if any, who controls a Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Holder, and each trustee of the Company, each officer of the Company who signed a Registration Statement and each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.

 

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SECTION 4.                          EXPENSES

 

The Company shall pay all expenses incident to the performance by the Company of its registration obligations under Section 2 above, including (i) Commission, stock exchange and FINRA registration and filing fees, (ii) all fees and expenses incurred in complying with securities or “blue sky” laws (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to any underwriter incurred in connection with “blue sky” qualifications of the Registrable Securities as may be set forth in any underwriting agreement), (iii) all printing, messenger and delivery expenses, and (iv) the fees, charges and expenses of counsel to the Company and of its independent public accountants and any other accounting fees, charges and expenses incurred by the Company (including, without limitation, any expenses arising from any “comfort” letters or any special audits incident to or required by any registration or qualification).  Each Holder shall be responsible for the payment of any brokerage and sales commissions, fees and disbursements of such Holder’s counsel, accountants and other advisors, and any transfer taxes relating to the sale or disposition of the Registrable Securities by such Holder pursuant to this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.                          RULE 144 COMPLIANCE

 

The Company covenants that it will use its best efforts to timely file the reports required to be filed by the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act so as to enable the Holders to sell the Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act.  In connection with any sale, transfer or other disposition by a Holder of any Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, the Company shall cooperate with the Holder to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing the Registrable Securities to be sold and not bearing any Securities Act restrictive legend, and enable certificates for such Registrable Securities to be for such number of shares and registered in such names as such Holder may reasonably request at least five Business Days prior to any sale of Registrable Securities hereunder.

 

SECTION 6.                          MISCELLANEOUS

 

6.1                                Integration; Amendment .  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the matters set forth herein and supersedes and renders of no force and effect all prior oral or written agreements, commitments and understandings among the parties with respect to the matters set forth herein. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, no amendment, modification or discharge of this Agreement shall be valid or binding unless set forth in writing and duly executed by each of the parties hereto.

 

6.2                                Waivers .  No waiver by a party hereto shall be effective unless made in a written instrument duly executed by the party against whom such waiver is sought to be enforced, and only to the extent set forth in such instrument. Neither the waiver by any of the parties hereto of a breach or a default under any of the provisions of this Agreement, nor the failure of any of the parties, on one or more occasions, to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement or to exercise any right or privilege hereunder shall thereafter be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or default of a similar nature, or as a waiver of any such provisions, rights or privileges hereunder.

 

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6.3                                Assignment; Successors and Assigns .  This Agreement and the rights granted hereunder may not be assigned by a Holder without the written consent of the Company; provided , however , that a Holder may assign its rights and obligations hereunder, without such consent, in connection with a transfer of some or all of such Holder’s Registrable Securities (i) to the extent permitted under the Partnership Agreement or the Charter, as applicable, and (ii) provided such transferee agrees in writing to be bound by all of the provisions hereof and the Holder provides written notice to the Company within 10 days of the effectiveness of such assignment.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon all of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors, personal and legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns, including, without limitation, any successor of the Company by merger, acquisition, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise.

 

6.4                                Notices .  All notices called for under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given (a) on the date of delivery if delivered personally, (b) on the first Business Day following the date of dispatch if delivered by a nationally recognized next-day courier service, (c) on the fifth Business Day following the date of mailing if delivered by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) if sent by facsimile transmission during business hours on a Business Day, when transmitted and receipt is confirmed, or otherwise on the following Business Day.  All notices hereunder shall be delivered to the Company at the address of the Company set forth opposite its signature on the signature page, and to the Initial Holder at the addresses of the Initial Holder set forth on the signature page hereto , or to any other address or addressee as any party entitled to receive notice under this Agreement shall designate, from time to time, to others in the manner provided in this Section 6.4 for the service of notices; provided , however , that notices of a change of address shall be effective only upon receipt thereof.

 

6.5                                Specific Performance .  The parties hereto acknowledge that the obligations undertaken by them hereunder are unique and that there would be no adequate remedy at law if any party fails to perform any of its obligations hereunder, and accordingly agree that each party, in addition to any other remedy to which it may be entitled at law or in equity, shall be entitled to (i) compel specific performance of the obligations, covenants and agreements of any other party under this Agreement in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and (ii) obtain preliminary injunctive relief to secure specific performance and to prevent a breach or contemplated breach of this Agreement in any court of the United States or any State thereof having jurisdiction.

 

6.6                                Governing Law .  This Agreement, the rights and obligations of the parties hereto, and any claims or disputes relating thereto, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland (excluding the conflict of law provisions thereof).

 

6.7                                Headings .  Section and subsection headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only, shall not be deemed to be a part of this Agreement for any purpose, and shall not in any way define or affect the meaning, construction or scope of any of the provisions hereof.

 

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6.8                                Pronouns .  All pronouns and any variations thereof shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular or plural, as the identity of the person or entity may require.

 

6.9                                Execution in Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.  This Agreement may be executed by facsimile signatures.

 

6.10                         Severability .  If fulfillment of any provision of this Agreement, at the time such fulfillment shall be due, shall transcend the limit of validity prescribed by law, then the obligation to be fulfilled shall be reduced to the limit of such validity; and if any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

6.11                         No Third-Party Beneficiaries .  Except as may be expressly provided herein (including without limitation Section 3 hereof), it is the explicit intention of the parties hereto that no person or entity other than the parties hereto is or shall be entitled to bring any action to enforce any provision of this Agreement against any of the parties hereto, and the covenants, undertakings and agreements set forth in this Agreement shall be solely for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable only by, the parties hereto or their respective successors, heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives and permitted assigns.

 

6.12                         Legend Removal .  The Company, upon the request of any Holder of Registrable Securities, shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to remove any restrictive legend from the certificates representing such Registrable Securities with respect to the Securities Act and any state securities laws, and shall cause the termination of any related stop transfer orders, if (a) such Registrable Securities are eligible for sale without registration pursuant to Rule 144 (or any successor provision) under the Securities Act without any volume limitations or other restrictions on transfer under paragraphs (c), (e), (f) and (h) of Rule 144 and (b) such Holder provides the Company with a representation letter in customary form reasonably sufficient to establish that such limitations and restrictions under paragraphs (c), (e), (f) and (h) of Rule 144 do not apply to such Registrable Securities.  Such Holder further agrees to indemnify the Company against any loss, cost or expenses, including reasonable expenses and attorney’s fees, incurred as a result of such legend removal on such Holder’s behalf; provided, however, that the foregoing indemnification shall not apply to a Holder that is a governmental entity unless such Holder is authorized by applicable law to provide such indemnification.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered in its name and on its behalf as of the date first written above.

 

Address:

THE COMPANY:

 

 

 

8670 Wolff Court, Suite 240

Westminster, CO 80031

FARMLAND PARTNERS INC., a Maryland
corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Luca Fabbri

 

Name:

Luca Fabbri

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer

 

 

 

Address:

INITIAL HOLDER:

 

 

8670 Wolff Court, Suite 240

Westminster, CO 80031

PITTMAN HOUGH FARMS LLC, a Colorado

limited liability company

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Paul A. Pittman

 

Name:

Paul A. Pittman

 

Title:

Manager

 

[Signature Page to the Registration Rights Agreement]

 


EXHIBIT 10.9

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED BUSINESS LOAN AGREEMENT

 

Principal

 

Loan Date

 

Maturity

 

Loan No

 

Call / Coll

 

Account

 

Officer

 

Initials

 

$30,780,000.00

 

04-16-2014

 

***

 

 

References in the boxes above are for Lender’s use only and do not limit the applicability of this document to any particular loan or item.
Any item above containing “***” has been omitted due to text length limitations.

 

Borrower:

 

Farmland Partners Operating
Partnership, LP,

a Delaware limited partnership
8670 Wolff Court, Suite 240
Westminster, CO 80031

 

Lender:

 

First Midwest Bank Galesburg
One Pierce Place — Suite 1500
Itasca, IL 60143

 

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED BUSINESS LOAN AGREEMENT dated as of April 16, 2014 is made and executed between FARMLAND PARTNERS OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Borrower”), and FIRST MIDWEST BANK (“Lender”) on the following terms and conditions. Borrower and/or its affiliates have received prior commercial loans from Lender or has applied to Lender for a commercial loan or loans or other financial accommodations, including those which may be described on any exhibit or schedule attached to this Agreement. Borrower understands and agrees that: (A) in granting, renewing, or extending any Loan, Lender is relying upon Borrower’s representations, warranties, and agreements as set forth in this Agreement; (B) the granting, renewing, or extending of any Loan by Lender at all times shall be subject to Lender’s sole judgment and discretion; and (C) all such Loans shall be and remain subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

TERM.   This Agreement shall be effective as of April 16, 2014, and shall continue in full force and effect until such time as all of Borrower’s Loan in favor of Lender have been paid in full, including principal, interest, costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees, and other fees and charges, or until such time as the parties may agree in writing to terminate this Agreement.

 

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT.   Lender’s obligations to amend and restate the Prior Loan Agreement under this Agreement shall be subject to the fulfillment to Lender’s satisfaction of all of the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in the Related Documents.

 

Loan Documents.   Borrower shall provide to Lender the following documents for the Loan: (1) the Notes; (2) modification agreements of Mortgages and Assignments of Rents granting to Lender security interests in the Collateral; (3) Guaranties duly executed by each Guarantor; (4) financing statements and all other documents perfecting Lender’s Security Interests; (5) evidence of insurance as required below; (6) together with all such Related Documents as Lender may require for the Loan (including a legal opinion from Borrower’s counsel); all in form and substance satisfactory to Lender and Lender’s counsel.

 

Borrower’s Authorization.   Borrower shall have provided such authorizations; documents and instruments as Lender or its counsel may require.

 

Payment of Fees and Expenses.   Borrower shall have paid to Lender all fees, charges, and other expenses which are then due and payable as specified in this Agreement or any Related Documents, including without limitation all of Lender’s out-of-pocket costs, including legal fees, appraisal fees, recording and release fees, title search fees and title insurance premiums, and a $15,500.00 loan origination fee ($500 allocated to the portion of the Loan evidenced by Term Note A and $15,000.00 allocated to the portion of the Loan evidenced by Term Note B).

 

Representations and Warranties.   The representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement, in the Related Documents, and in any document or certificate delivered to Lender under this Agreement are true and correct.

 

No Event of Default.   There shall not exist at any time of any Advance a condition which would constitute an Event of Default under this Agreement or under any Related Documents.

 



 

Interest Rate Payable on Notes. The per annum interest rate payable on sums advanced under the Notes shall be equal to the sum of (1) the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) as shown in the Money Rates Table of The Wall Street Journal on the last day published in each month (the “Index”) plus (2) 2.59%; provided, however, that in no event shall the interest rate payable on the Notes be less than 2.80% per annum. The interest rate shall be subject to changes on a monthly basis, on the 1st day of each month based upon the Index published on the fast day of the prior month

 

Term of Note and Payment Schedule.   The term of the Notes shall be as follows:

 

Term Note A :  Interest shall be payable to Lender on Term Note A quarterly, beginning June 30, 2014. Annual payments of principal shall be payable to Lender on the Note beginning June 16, 2014, such principal payments to be in the amount of $26,000.00 (based upon a thirty-year amortization period). All unpaid principal and accrued interest on Term Note A shall be due and payable in full on June 16, 2016 (the “Term Note A Maturity Date”).

 

Term Note B :  Interest shall be payable to Lender on Term Note B quarterly, beginning June 30, 2014. Annual payments of principal shall be payable to Lender on the Note beginning March 6, 2015, such principal payments to be in the amount of $1,000,000.00 (based upon a thirty-year amortization period).  All unpaid principal and accrued interest on Term Note B shall be due and payable in full on March 6, 2016 (the “Term Note B Maturity Date”, and together with the Term Note A Maturity Date, collectively, the “Maturity Date”).

 

Prepayment Premium. In the event principal due on each Note is paid prior to the date such principal is due as a result of refinancing of Indebtedness by Borrower with a financial institution or other lender (other than Lender or an affiliate of Lender) in an aggregate amount exceeding the Permitted Prepayment Amount during the following periods (each, a “Prepayment Period”):

 

 

Prepayment Period

 

Permitted Prepayment Amount

 

 

April 16, 2014 to March 5, 2015

 

10% of the total principal balance on the Notes as of April 16, 2014.

 

 

March 6, 2015 to Maturity Date

 

10% of the total principal balance on the Notes as of March 6, 2015.

 

 

Borrower shall immediately pay to Lender a prepayment premium equal to 1.0% of the amount by which such aggregate amount of principal prepayment during a given Prepayment Period exceeds the Permitted Prepayment Amount applicable to such Prepayment Period.

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.   Borrower represents and warrants to Lender, as of the date of this Agreement, as of the date of each disbursement of loan proceeds, as of the date of any renewal, extension or modification of any Loan, and at all times any Indebtedness exists:

 

Organization.   Borrower is a duly organized Delaware limited partnership in good standing in the State of Delaware and is duly authorized to transact business in the State of Illinois, having obtained all necessary filings, governmental licenses-and approvals. Unless Borrower has designated otherwise in writing, Borrower’s address listed above is the office at which Borrower keeps its books and records including its records concerning the Collateral. Borrower will notify Lender prior to any change in its location or any change in its name. Borrower shall do all things necessary to preserve and to keep in full force and effect their rights and privileges, and shall comply with all regulations, rules, ordinance, statutes, orders and decrees of any governmental or quasi-governmental authority or court applicable to Borrower and Borrower’s business activities.

 

Assumed Business Names.   Borrower has filed or recorded all documents or filings required by law relating to all assumed business names used by Borrower. The following is a complete list of all assumed business names under which Borrower does business: None

 

Authorization.   Borrower’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and all the Related Documents has been duly authorized by all necessary limited partnership action by Borrower and does not conflict with, result in a violation of, or constitute a default under (1) any provision of any agreement or other

 

2



 

instrument binding upon Borrower or (2) any law, governmental regulation, court decree, or order applicable to Borrower or to Borrower’s properties.

 

Financial Information.   Each of Borrower’s financial statements supplied to Lender truly and completely disclosed Borrower’s financial condition as of the date of the statement, and there has been no material adverse change in Borrower’s financial condition subsequent to the date of the most recent financial statement supplied to Lender. Borrower has no material contingent obligations except as disclosed in such financial statements.

 

Legal Effect.   This Agreement constitutes, and any instrument or agreement Borrower is required to give under this Agreement when delivered will constitute, legal, valid, and binding obligations of Borrower enforceable against Borrower in accordance with their respective terms.

 

Properties.   Except as contemplated by this Agreement or as previously disclosed in Borrower’s financial statements or in writing to Lender and as accepted by Lender, and except for property tax liens for taxes not presently delinquent, Borrower or its affiliates own and has good title to all of Borrower’s or its affiliates’ respective properties free and clear of all Security Interests, and has not executed any security documents or financing statements relating to such properties. All of Borrower’s or its affiliates’ properties are titled in Borrower’s or its affiliates’ respective legal names, and Borrower or its affiliates have not used or filed a financing statement under any other names for at least five (5) years.

 

Hazardous Substances.   Except as disclosed to and acknowledged by Lender in writing, Borrower and its subsidiaries and affiliates represents and warrants that: (1) During the period of Borrower’s (and its subsidiaries’ and affiliates’) ownership of the Collateral, there has been no use, generation, manufacture, storage, treatment, disposal, release or threatened release of any Hazardous Substance by any person on, under, about or from any of the Collateral. (2) Borrower (and its subsidiaries and affiliates) have no knowledge of, or reason to believe that there has been (a) any breach or violation of any Environmental Laws; (b) any use, generation, manufacture, storage, treatment, disposal, release or threatened release of any Hazardous Substance on, under, about or from the Collateral by any prior owners or occupants of any of the Collateral; or (c) any actual or threatened litigation or claims of any kind by any person relating to such matters. (3) Neither Borrower, nor its subsidiaries or affiliates, nor any tenant, contractor, agent or other authorized user of any of the Collateral shall use, generate, manufacture, store, treat, dispose of or release any Hazardous Substance on, under about or from any of the Collateral; and any such activity shall be conducted in compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and ordinances, including without limitation all Environmental Laws. Borrower and its subsidiaries and affiliates authorize Lender and its agents to enter upon the Collateral to make such inspections and tests as Lender may deem appropriate to determine compliance of the Collateral with this section of the Agreement. Any inspections or tests made by Lender shall be at Borrower’s expense and for Lender’s purposes only and shall not be construed to create any responsibility or liability on the part of Lender to Borrower or to any other person. The representations and warranties contained herein are based on Borrower’s due diligence in investigating the Collateral for hazardous waste and Hazardous Substances. Borrower and its subsidiaries and affiliates hereby (1) release and waive any future claims against Lender to indemnity or contribution in the event Borrower or its subsidiaries and affiliates become liable for cleanup or other costs under any such laws, and (2) agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Lender against any and all claims, losses, liabilities, damages, penalties, and expenses which Lender may directly or indirectly sustain or suffer resulting from a breach of this section of the Agreement or as a consequence of any use, generation, manufacture, storage, disposal, release or threatened release of a hazardous waste or substance on the Collateral. The provisions of this section of the Agreement, including the obligation to indemnify and defend, shall survive the payment of the Indebtedness and the termination, expiration or satisfaction of this Agreement and shall not be affected by Lender’s acquisition of any interest in any of the Collateral, whether by foreclosure or otherwise.

 

Litigation and Claims.   No litigation, claim, investigation, administrative proceeding or similar action (including those for unpaid taxes) against Borrower is pending or threatened, and no other event has occurred which may materially adversely affect Borrower’s financial condition or properties, other than litigation, claims, or other events, if any, that have been disclosed to and acknowledged by Lender in writing.

 

Taxes.   To the best of Borrower’s knowledge, all of Borrower’s tax returns and reports that are or were required to be filed, have been filed, and all taxes, assessments and other governmental charges have been

 

3



 

paid in full, except those presently being or to be contested by Borrower in good faith in the ordinary course of business and for which adequate reserves have been provided.

 

Lien Priority.   Unless otherwise previously disclosed to Lender in writing, Borrower (and its subsidiaries and affiliates) have not entered into or granted any Security Agreements, or permitted the filing or attachment of any Security Interests on or affecting any of the Collateral directly or indirectly securing repayment of Borrower’s Loan and Notes, that would be prior or that may in any way be superior to Lender’s Security Interests and rights in and to such Collateral.

 

Binding Effect.   This Agreement, the Notes, all Security Agreements, and all Related Documents are binding upon the signers thereof, as well as upon their successors, representatives and assigns, and are legally enforceable in accordance with their respective terms.

 

Related Transactions.  Borrower shall comply with all definitive documents related to the initial public offering of Parent, including the truth and accuracy of all applicable representations and warranties in the initial public offering and any concurrent or related documents related to the merger of Borrower or its affiliates.

 

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.   Borrower covenants and agrees with Lender that, so long as this Agreement remains in effect, Borrower will:

 

Notices of Claims and Litigation.   Promptly inform Lender in writing of (1) all material adverse changes in Borrower’s financial condition or in the financial condition of any of its subsidiaries and affiliates, and (2) all existing and all threatened, in writing, litigation, claims, investigations, administrative proceedings or similar actions affecting Borrower which could materially affect the financial condition of Borrower or its subsidiaries and affiliates.

 

Financial Records.   Maintain its books and records in accordance with GAAP, applied on a consistent basis, and permit Lender to examine and audit Borrower’s books and records at all reasonable times.

 

Financial Statements.   Furnish Lender with such financial statements and other related information at such frequencies and in such detail as Lender may reasonably request.

 

Additional Information.   Furnish such additional information and statements, as Lender may request from time to time.

 

Insurance.   Maintain fire and other risk insurance, public liability insurance, flood insurance and such other insurance as Lender may require with respect to Borrower’s properties and operations (and the properties and operations of any of its subsidiaries and affiliates), in form, amounts, coverages and with insurance companies acceptable to Lender. Borrower, upon request of Lender, will deliver to Lender from time to time the policies or certificates of insurance in form satisfactory to Lender, including stipulations that coverages will not be cancelled or diminished without at least ten (10) days prior written notice to Lender. Each insurance policy also shall include an endorsement providing that coverage in favor of Lender will not be impaired in any way by any act, omission or default of Borrower or any other person. In connection with all policies covering assets in which Lender holds or is offered a security interest for the Loan, Borrower will provide Lender with such Lender’s loss payable or other endorsements as Lender may require. Each policy of property and casualty insurance shall designate Lender as loss payee. Each policy of public liability insurance shall designate Lender as an additional insured.

 

Insurance Reports.   Furnish to Lender, upon request of Lender, reports on each existing insurance policy showing such information as Lender may reasonably request, including without limitation the following: (1) the name of the insurer; (2) the risks insured; (3) the amount of the policy (4) the properties insured; (5) the then current property values on the basis of which insurance has been obtained, and the manner of determining those values; and (6) the expiration date of the policy. In addition, upon request of Lender (however not more often than annually), Borrower will have an independent appraiser satisfactory to Lender determine, as applicable, the actual cash value or replacement costs of any Collateral. The cost of such appraisal shall be paid by Borrower.

 

Guaranties. Prior to disbursement of any Loan proceeds, furnish executed guaranties of the Loan in favor of Lender, executed by the guarantor named below, on Lender’s forms, and in the amount and under the conditions set forth in those guaranties.

 

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Name of Guarantor

 

Amount

 

 

PH Farms LLC

 

Unlimited

 

 

Cottonwood Valley Land, LLC

 

Unlimited

 

 

Paul Pittman and Jesse Hough, jointly and severally

 

$11,000,000.00

 

 

Other Agreements.   Comply with all terms and conditions of all other agreements, whether now or hereafter existing, between Borrower and any other party and notify Lender immediately in writing of any default in connection with any other such agreements.

 

Loan Proceeds.   Use all Loan proceeds solely for the refinancing and satisfaction of existing mortgage indebtedness on the real estate pledged as Collateral for the Loan, to refinance, transfer and partially pay off existing debt of the Existing Borrower to the Borrower in connection with the initial public offering of Parent.

 

Taxes, Charges and Liens.   Pay and discharge when due all of its indebtedness and obligations, including without limitation all assessments, taxes, governmental charges, levies and liens, of every kind and nature, imposed upon Borrower or its properties, income, or profits, prior to the date on which penalties would attach, and all lawful claims that, if unpaid, might become a lien or charge upon any of Borrower’s properties, income, or profits. Provided however, Borrower will not be required to pay and discharge any such assessment, tax, charge, levy, lien or claim so long as (1) the legality of the same shall be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, and (2) Borrower shall have established on its books adequate reserves with respect to such contested assessment, tax, charge, levy, lien, or claim in accordance with GAAP.

 

Performance.   Perform and comply, in a timely manner, with all terms, conditions, and provisions set forth in this Agreement, in the Related Documents, and in all other instruments and agreements between Borrower and Lender. Borrower shall notify Lender immediately in writing of any default in connection with any agreement.

 

Operations.   Maintain farm management personnel with substantially the same qualifications and experience as the present farm management personnel; provide written notice to Lender of any change in farm management personnel; conducts its business affairs in a reasonable and prudent manner.

 

Environmental Studies.   Promptly conduct and complete, at Borrower’s expense, all such investigations, studies, samplings and testings as may be reasonably requested by Lender or required by any governmental authority relative to any substance, or any waste or by-product of any substance defined as toxic or a hazardous substance under applicable federal, state, or local law, rule regulation, order or directive, at or affecting any property or any facility owned, leased or used by Borrower or any of its subsidiaries and affiliates.

 

Compliance with Governmental Requirements.   Comply with all laws, ordinances, and regulations, now or hereafter in effect, of all governmental authorities applicable to the conduct of Borrower’s properties, businesses and operations, and to the use or occupancy of the Collateral, including without limitation, the Americans with Disabilities Act. Borrower may contest in good faith any such law, ordinance, or regulation and withhold compliance during any proceeding, including appropriate appeals, so long as Borrower has notified Lender in writing prior to doing so and so long as, in Lenders sole opinion, Lender’s interests in the Collateral are not jeopardized. Lender may require Borrower to post adequate security or a surety bond, reasonably satisfactory to Lender, to protect Lender’s interest.

 

Inspection.   Permit employees or agents of Lender at any reasonable time to inspect any and all Collateral for the Loan and Borrower’s other properties and to examine or audit Borrower’s books, accounts, and records and to make copies and memoranda of Borrower’s books, accounts, and records. If Borrower now or at any time hereafter maintains any records (including without limitation computer generated records and computer software programs for the generation of such records) in the possession of a third party, Borrower, upon request of Lender, shall notify such party to permit Lender free access to such records at all reasonable times and to provide Lender with copies of any records it may request, all at Borrower’s expense.

 

Compliance Certificates.   Unless waived in writing by Lender, provide Lender at least annually, with a

 

5



 

certificate, certifying that the representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement are true and correct as of the date of the certificate and further certifying that, as of the date of the certificate, no Event of Default exists under this Agreement.

 

Environmental Compliance and Reports.   Comply in all respects with any and all Environmental Laws; not cause or permit to exist, as a result of an intentional or unintentional action or omission on Borrower’s part or on the part of any third party, on property owned and/or occupied by Borrower, any environmental activity where damage may result to the environment, unless such environmental activity is pursuant to and in compliance with the conditions of a permit issued by the appropriate federal, state or local governmental authorities; shall furnish to Lender promptly and in any event within thirty (30) days after receipt thereof a copy of any notice, summons, lien, citation, directive, letter or other communication from any governmental agency or instrumentality concerning any intentional or unintentional action or omission on Borrower’s part in connection with any environmental activity whether or not there is damage to the environment and/or other natural resources.  Borrower and its subsidiaries or affiliates shall not use and does not intend to use the Collateral to generate, manufacture, refine, transport, treat, store, handle or dispose of any Hazardous Substances, PCBs, lead paint or asbestos.

 

Additional Assurances.   Make, execute and deliver to Lender such promissory notes, mortgages, deeds of trust, security agreements, assignments, financing statements, instruments, documents and other agreements as Lender or its attorneys may reasonably request to evidence and secure the Loan and to perfect all Security Interests.

 

Maintenance of Operating Account(s)/Minimum Balance.   During the term of this Agreement, Borrower and its subsidiaries or affiliates shall maintain at least two deposit accounts with Lender and maintain at all times while this Agreement is in effect a minimum average annual collected balance in such accounts of at least $500,000.00.

 

Life Insurance on Paul Pittman.   Cause to be maintained, at all times during the term of this Agreement, a policy or policies of insurance insuring the life of Paul A. Pittman with a death benefit payable in an amount not less than Four Million Dollars ($4,000,000.00) issued by companies reasonably acceptable to Lender. Borrower shall, upon Lender’s request, deliver to Lender the policies or certificates of insurance in form and substance satisfactory to Lender.

 

Life Insurance on Jesse Hough.   Cause to be maintained, at all times during the term of this Agreement, a policy or policies of insurance insuring the life of Jesse Hough with a death benefit payable of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) issued by companies reasonably acceptable to Lender. Borrower shall, upon Lender’s request, deliver to Lender, policies or certificates of insurance in form and substance acceptable to Lender.

 

Minimum Debt Service Coverage Ratio.

 

(a)           Maintain an annual minimum debt service coverage ratio (“Debt Service Coverage Ratio”) of not less than 1.25:1.00 as of December 31 of each year, beginning December 31, 2014. Debt Service Coverage ratio shall be defined as the ratio of Operating Cash Flow (as defined below) to Debt Service (as defined below).

 

(b)           As used herein, “Operating Cash Flow” during any year shall mean all rental income (including minimum rent, additional rent, escalation and pass through payments) actually received in such year arising from the ownership and operation by the Borrower and its wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Collateral and other farmland (excluding tenant security deposits and extraordinary items of income, such as those resulting from casualty or condemnation or lease termination payments of tenants) less the sum of all taxes, expenses and disbursements of every kind (excluding non-cash expenses such as depreciation and amortization costs, and debt service payable on the Notes or any other debt).

 

(c)           As used herein, “Debt Service” for any year shall equal the sum of all scheduled principal and interest payments on the Indebtedness or any other debt (including without limitation indebtedness for borrowed money and deferred obligations for purchases other than trade payables on customary terms entered into in the ordinary course of business) that are due and payable during such year.

 

Maximum Debt to Net Worth Ratio.   Maintain a ratio of total debt to net worth (“Debt to Net Worth Ratio”) of

 

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not more than 1.00:1.00, calculated as of December 31, 2014 and annually thereafter. Debt to Net Worth Ratio shall be defined as total combined liabilities divided by total tangible net worth, in the amount that would be reflected on an audited balance sheet prepared at such date, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

Financial Reporting.   Provide the following financial reports in form and substance acceptable to Lender:

 

(1)           Federal income tax returns for Borrower and each Guarantor for the preceding calendar year within 15 days of the filing of same, but in no event later than April 30 of the succeeding calendar year. In the event Borrower or any Guarantor seeks an extension of the filing date of their federal income tax return, Borrower or such Guarantor shall notify Lender within 15 days of the date of such extension is requested and shall provide Lender a copy of such federal tax return within 15 days of the due date as extended.

 

(2)           Personal balance sheets of Paul Pittman and Jesse Hough dated as of December 31 of each calendar year, by January 31 of each succeeding calendar year.

 

(3)           Audited annual financial statements of Parent as of December 31 of each calendar year, prepared by an accounting firm acceptable to Lender. Such financial statements shall include a consolidated balance sheet and income statement for Parent and its subsidiaries and affiliates and a reviewed consolidating balance sheet and income statement for Borrower and all of its subsidiaries and affiliates as well as separate balance sheets and income statements for Borrower and each of its subsidiaries and affiliates. Such statements will be prepared on an accrual basis and will be provided to Lender not later than 120 days after the end of each calendar year.

 

(4)           Quarterly audited balance sheet and income statements for Parent and its subsidiaries and affiliates on a consolidated basis and reviewed consolidating balance sheet and income statement for Borrower and all of its subsidiaries and affiliates, within 30 days of the end of each calendar quarter, beginning with the quarter ending June 30, 2014.

 

(5)           Such other information regarding Borrower’s operations and financial condition as Lender may from time to time request.

 

LENDER’S EXPENDITURES.   If any action or proceeding is commenced that would materially affect Lender’s interest in the Collateral or if Borrower fails to comply with any provision of this Agreement or any Related Documents, including but not limited to Borrower’s failure to discharge or pay when due any amounts Borrower is required to discharge or pay under this Agreement or any Related Documents, Lender on Borrower’s behalf may (but shall not be obligated to) take any action that Lender deems appropriate, including but not limited to discharging or paying all taxes, liens, security interests, encumbrances and other claims, at any time levied or placed on any Collateral and paying all costs for insuring, maintaining and preserving any Collateral. All such expenditures incurred or paid by Lender for such purposes will then bear interest at the rate charged under the Notes from the date incurred or paid by Lender to the date of repayment by Borrower. All such expenses will become a part of the Indebtedness and, will (be payable within 30 days of Lender’s written demand.

 

NEGATIVE COVENANTS.   Borrower covenants and agrees with Lender that while this Agreement is in effect, each Borrower Party shall not, without the prior written consent of Lender:

 

Indebtedness and Liens.   (1) Except for Permitted Indebtedness, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist indebtedness for borrowed money, including guaranties of indebtedness of other persons or entities, (2) sell, transfer, mortgage, assign, pledge, lease, grant a security interest in, or encumber any of their assets (except as allowed as Permitted Liens and sales for fair value, as reasonably determined by the Borrower in good faith, of assets other than Collateral), or (3) sell with recourse any of their accounts (except as allowed as Permitted Liens and except to Lender).

 

Continuity of Operations.   (1) Engage in any business activities substantially different than those in which Borrower is presently engaged or (2) cease operations, liquidate, or sell Collateral out of the ordinary course of business.

 

Guaranties.   Incur any obligation as surety or guarantor other than in respect of the Indebtedness, or any Permitted Indebtedness.

 

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Agreements.   Enter into any agreement containing any provisions which would be violated or breached by the performance of Borrower Parties’ obligations under this Agreement or in connection herewith.

 

CESSATION OF ADVANCES.   If Lender has made any commitment to make any Loan to Borrower, whether under this Agreement or under any other agreement, Lender shall have no obligation to make Loan Advances or to disburse Loan proceeds if: (A) Borrower is in default under the terms of this Agreement or any of the Related Documents or any other agreement that Borrower has with Lender; (B) Borrower becomes insolvent, files a petition in bankruptcy or similar proceedings, or is adjudicated bankrupt; (C) there occurs a material adverse change in Borrower’s financial condition, or in the value of any Collateral securing any Loan; or (D) Lender in good faith deems itself insecure, even though no Event of Default shall have occurred.

 

RIGHT OF SETOFF.   To the extent permitted by applicable law, Lender reserves a right of setoff in all Borrower’s accounts with Lender (whether checking, savings, or some other account). This includes all accounts Borrower holds jointly with someone else and all accounts Borrower may open in the future. However, this does not include any IRA or Keogh accounts, or any trust accounts for which setoff would be prohibited by law. Borrower authorizes Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to charge or setoff all sums owing on the Indebtedness against any and all such accounts, and, at Lender’s option, to administratively freeze all such accounts to allow Lender to protect Lender’s charge and setoff rights provided in this paragraph.

 

DEFAULT.   Each of the following shall constitute an Event of Default under this Agreement:

 

Payment Default.   Borrower fails to make any payment when due under the Notes or this Agreement.

 

Conveyance of Property .  Without Lender’s prior written consent, any Borrower Party causes, permits or enters into any agreement for any sale, lease, or transfer of all or any portion of the Collateral in violation of this Agreement.

 

Negative Covenants.   Any Borrower Party breaches any of the “Negative Covenants” set forth in this Agreement.

 

Other Defaults.   Any Borrower Party fails to comply with or perform any other term, obligation, covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any of the Related Documents or to comply with or to perform any term, obligation, covenant or condition contained in any other agreement between Lender and Borrower or between Lender and any of Borrower’s subsidiaries or affiliates, and such failure continues for thirty (30) days after Borrower becomes aware of such failure, whether by notice from Lender or otherwise.

 

Environmental Default.   Failure of any Borrower Party to comply with or perform when due any term, obligation, covenant or condition contained in any environmental agreement executed in connection with the Loan, and such failure continues for thirty (30) days after any Borrower Party becomes aware of such failure, whether by notice from Lender or otherwise.

 

Default in Favor of Third Parties.   Any Borrower Party defaults under any loan, extension of credit, security agreement, or any other material agreement, in favor of any other creditor or person , and such failure continues for thirty (30) days after any Borrower Party becomes aware of such failure, whether by notice from Lender or otherwise..

 

False Statements.   Any warranty, representation or statement made or furnished to Lender by any Borrower Party or on behalf of any Borrower Party under this Agreement or the Related Documents is false or misleading in any material respect, either now or at the time made or furnished or becomes false or misleading at any time thereafter.

 

Insolvency.   The insolvency of any Borrower Party, the appointment of a receiver for any part of any Borrower Party’s property, any assignment by a Borrower Party for the benefit of creditors, or the commencement of any proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency laws by or against any Borrower Party; provided, that if any such appointment or commencement is not authorized by any Borrower Party and is opposed by the relevant Borrower Party, it shall not constitute an Event of Default unless the appointment is not rescinded or the proceeding dismissed within thirty (30) days or the appointment or commencement.

 

Events Affecting Guarantor .  Any of the preceding events occurs with respect to any Guarantor of any of the Indebtedness or any Guarantor dies or becomes incompetent, or revokes or disputes the validity of, or liability under, any Guaranty of the Indebtedness.

 

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Defective Collateralization.   This Agreement or any of the Related Documents ceases to be in full force and effect (including failure of any collateral document to create a valid and perfected security interest or lien) at any time and for any reason.

 

Creditor or Forfeiture Proceedings.   Commencement of foreclosure or forfeiture proceedings, whether by judicial proceeding, self-help, repossession or any other method, by any creditor of any Borrower Party or by any governmental agency against any Collateral securing the Loan. This includes a garnishment of any Borrower Party’s accounts, including deposit accounts, with Lender. However, this Event of Default shall not apply if there is a good faith dispute by the relevant Borrower Party as to the validity or reasonableness of the claim which is the basis of the creditor or forfeiture proceeding and if Borrower gives Lender written notice of the creditor or forfeiture proceeding and deposits with Lender monies or a surety bond for the creditor or forfeiture proceeding, in an amount determined by Lender, in its sole discretion, as being an adequate reserve or bond for the dispute.

 

Adverse Change.   A material adverse change occurs in Borrower’s financial condition or Lender believes the prospect of payment or performance of the Loan is impaired.

 

Insecurity.   Lender in good faith believes itself insecure.

 

EFFECT OF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT.   If any Event of Default shall occur, except where otherwise provided in this Agreement or the Related Documents, all commitments and obligations of Lender under this Agreement or the Related Documents or any other agreement immediately will terminate (including any obligation to make further Loan Advances or disbursements), and, at Lender’s option, all Indebtedness immediately will become due and payable, all without notice of any kind to Borrower, except that in the case of an Event of Default of the type described in the “Insolvency” subsection above, such acceleration shall be automatic and not optional. In addition, Lender shall have all the rights and remedies provided in the Related Documents or available at law, in equity, or otherwise. Except as may be prohibited by applicable law, all of Lender’s rights and remedies shall be cumulative and may be exercised singularly or concurrently. Election by Lender to pursue any remedy shall not exclude pursuit of any other remedy, and an election to make expenditures or to take action to perform an obligation of Borrower shall not affect Lender’s right to declare a default and to exercise its rights and remedies.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL PROVISIONS . The following environmental provisions are a part of this Agreement:

 

Environmental Waiver and Indemnification.   Borrower hereby agrees to and shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Lender and Lender’s officers, directors, employees and agents, and Lender’s successors and assigns and their officers, directors, employees and agents from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, liabilities, costs, fines, penalties and expenses (including without limitation attorneys’ fees at trial and on any appeal or petition for review, consultants’ fees, remedial action costs, natural resource damages and diminution in value) incurred by such person (a) arising out of or relating to any investigatory or remedial action involving the Collateral, the operations conducted on the Collateral, or any other operations of Borrower or any occupant on the Collateral and required by Environmental Laws or by orders of any governmental authority having jurisdiction under any Environmental Laws, including without limitation any natural resource damages, or (b) arising out of or related to any noncompliance with or violation of Environmental Laws or any applicable permits or approvals involving the Collateral, or (c) on account of injury to Lender or any person whatsoever or damage to any property arising out of, in connection with, or in any way relating to (i) the breach of any covenant, representation or warranty contained in this Agreement, (ii) the violation of any Environmental Laws, permits, authorizations or approvals relating to the Collateral, (iii) the use, treatment, storage, generation, manufacture, transport, release, spill, disposal or other handling of Hazardous Substances on the Collateral, or (iv) the contamination of any of the Collateral by, or the presence, release or threatened release of, Hazardous Substances by any means whatsoever (explicitly including without limitation any presently existing contamination of the Collateral, whether or not previously disclosed to Lender), or (d) pursuant to this Agreement. Borrower’s obligations under this section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and (x) the repayment of the Indebtedness, (y) any foreclosure, whether judicial or nonjudicial, of the Collateral, and (z) any delivery of a deed in lieu of foreclosure to Lender or any successor of Lender.  In addition to this indemnity, Borrower hereby releases and waives all present and future claims against Lender for indemnity or contribution in the event Borrower becomes liable for cleanup or other costs under any Environmental Laws.

 

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Payment: Full Recourse to Borrower. Borrower intends that Lender shall have full recourse to Borrower for Borrower’s obligations under this Section as they become due to Lender. Such liabilities, losses, claims, damages and expenses shall be reimbursable to Lender as Lender’s obligations to make payments with respect thereto are incurred, without any requirement of waiting for the ultimate outcome of any litigation, claim or other proceeding, and Borrower shall pay such liability, losses, claims, damages and expenses to Lender as so incurred within thirty (30) days after written notice from Lender. Lender’s notice shall contain a brief itemization of the amounts incurred to the date of such notice. In addition to any remedy available for failure to pay periodically such amounts, such amounts shall thereafter bear interest at the Note default rate, or in the absence of a default rate, at the Note interest rate.

 

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS . The following miscellaneous provisions are a part of this Agreement:

 

Amendments.   This Agreement, together with any Related Documents, constitutes the entire understanding and agreement of the parties as to the matters set forth in this Agreement. No alteration of or amendment to this Agreement shall be effective unless given in writing and signed by the party or parties sought to be charged or bound by the alteration or amendment.

 

Attorneys’ Fees; Expenses.   Borrower agrees to pay upon demand all of Lender’s costs and expenses, including Lender’s attorneys’ fees and Lender’s legal expenses, incurred in connection with the enforcement of this Agreement. Lender may hire or pay someone else to help enforce this Agreement, and Borrower shall pay the costs and expenses of such enforcement. Costs and expenses include Lender’s attorneys’ fees and legal expenses whether or not there is a lawsuit, including attorneys’ fees and legal expenses for bankruptcy proceedings (including efforts to modify or vacate any automatic stay or injunction), appeals, and any anticipated post-judgment collection services. Borrower also shall pay all court costs and such additional fees as may be directed by the court.

 

Caption Headings.   Caption headings in this Agreement are for convenience purposes only and are not to be used to interpret or define the provisions of this Agreement.

 

Consent to Loan Participation.   Borrower agrees and consents to Lender’s sale or transfer, whether now or later, of one or more participation interests in the Loan to one or more purchasers, whether related or unrelated to Lender. Lender may provide, without any limitation whatsoever, to any one or more purchasers, or potential purchasers, any information or knowledge Lender may have about Borrower or about any other matter relating to the Loan, and Borrower hereby waives any right to privacy Borrower may have with respect to such matters. Borrower additionally waives any and all notices of sale of participation interests, as well as all notices of any repurchases of such participation interests. Borrower also agrees that the purchasers of any such participation interests will be considered as the absolute owners of such interests in the Loan and will have all the rights granted under the participation agreement or agreements governing the sale of such participation interests. Borrower further waives all rights of offset or counterclaim that it may have now or later against Lender or against any purchaser of such a participation interest and unconditionally agrees that either Lender or such purchaser may enforce Borrower’s obligation under the Loan irrespective of the failure or insolvency of any holder of any interest in the Loan. Borrower further agrees that the purchaser of any such participation interests may enforce its interests irrespective of any personal claims or defenses that Borrower may have against Lender.

 

Governing Law.  This Agreement will be governed by federal law applicable to Lender and, to the extent not preempted by federal law, the laws of the State of Illinois without regard to its conflicts of law provisions. This Agreement has been accepted by Lender in the State of Illinois.

 

Choice of Venue.   If there is a lawsuit, Borrower agrees upon Lender’s request to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of Knox County, State of Illinois.

 

No Waiver by Lender.   Lender shall not be deemed to have waived any rights under this Agreement unless such waiver is given in writing and signed by Lender. No delay or omission on the part of Lender in exercising any rights shall operate as a waiver of such right or any other right. A waiver by Lender of a provision of this Agreement shall not prejudice or constitute a waiver of Lender’s right otherwise to demand strict compliance with that provision or any other provision of this Agreement. No prior waiver by Lender, nor any course of dealing between Lender and Borrower, shall constitute a waiver of any of Lender’s right or of any of Borrower’s obligations as to any future transactions. Whenever the consent of Lender is required under this

 

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Agreement, the granting of such consent by Lender in any instance shall not constitute continuing consent to subsequent instances where such consent is required and in all cases such consent may be granted or withheld in the sole discretion of Lender.

 

Notices.   Any notice required to be given under this Agreement shall be given in writing, and shall be effective when actually delivered, when actually received by telefacsimile (unless otherwise required by law), when deposited with a nationally recognized overnight courier, or, if mailed, when deposited in the United States mail, first class, certified or registered mail postage prepaid, directed to the addresses shown near the beginning of this Agreement. Any party may change its address for notices under this Agreement by giving formal written notice to the other parties, specifying that the purpose of the notice is to change the party’s address. For notice purposes, Borrower agrees to keep Lender informed at all times of Borrower’s current address. In addition, a copy of any notice given to Borrower by Lender shall also be sent by Lender to Morrison and Foerster LLP, 2000 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20006, Attention: Justin Salon.

 

Severability.   If a court of competent jurisdiction finds any provision of this Agreement to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable as to any circumstance, that finding shall not make the offending provision illegal, invalid, or unenforceable as to any other circumstance. If feasible, the offending provision shall be considered modified so that it becomes legal, valid and enforceable. If the offending provision cannot be so modified, it shall be considered deleted from this Agreement. Unless otherwise required by law, the illegality, invalidity, or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the legality, validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.

 

Subsidiaries and Affiliates of Borrower .  To the extent the context of any provisions of this Agreement makes it appropriate, including without limitation any representation, warranty or covenant, the word “Borrower” as used in this Agreement shall include all of Borrower’s subsidiaries and affiliates.  Notwithstanding the foregoing however, under no circumstances shall this Agreement be construed to require Lender to make any Loan or other financial accommodation to any of Borrower’s subsidiaries or affiliates.

 

Successors and Assigns.   All covenants and agreements by or on behalf of Borrower contained in this Agreement or any Related Documents shall bind Borrower’s successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of Lender and its successors and assigns. Borrower shall not, however, have the right to assign its rights under this Agreement or any interest therein, without the prior written consent of Lender.

 

Survival of Representations and Warranties.   Borrower understands and agrees that in extending Loan Advances, Lender is relying on all representations, warranties, and covenants made by Borrower in this Agreement or in any certified or other instrument delivered by Borrower to Lender under this Agreement or the Related Documents. Borrower further agrees. that regardless of any investigation made by Lender, all such representations, warranties and covenants will survive the extension of Loan Advances and delivery to Lender of the Related Documents, shall be continuing in nature, shall be deemed made and redated by Borrower at the time each Loan Advance is made, and shall remain in full force and effect in all material respects until such time as Borrower’s Indebtedness shall be paid in full, or until this Agreement shall be terminated in the manner provided above, whichever is the last to occur.

 

Time is of the Essence.   Time is of the essence in the performance of this Agreement.

 

Waive Jury.   All parties to this Agreement hereby waive the right to any jury trial in any action, proceeding, or counterclaim brought by any party against any other party.

 

Amendment and Restatement of Prior Agreement.   This Agreement is an amendment and restatement, in its entirety, of the Prior Loan Agreement and any indebtedness outstanding thereunder shall be deemed to be outstanding under this Agreement.  Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to be a repayment or novation of the indebtedness, or to release or otherwise adversely affect any lien, mortgage or security interest securing such indebtedness or any rights of the Lender against any guarantor, surety or other party primarily or secondarily liable for such indebtedness.

 

One Agreement .  This Agreement and any related security or other agreements required by this Agreement, collectively:

 

(a)           represent the sum of the understandings and agreements between the Lender and the Borrower concerning this credit;

 

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(b)           replace any prior oral or written agreements between the Lender, Existing Borrower and the Borrower concerning this credit; and

 

(c)           are intended by the Lender and the Borrower as the final, complete and exclusive statement of the terms agreed to by them.

 

In the event of any conflict between this Agreement and any other agreements required by this Agreement, this Agreement will prevail.

 

No Release or Novation.   The obligations, liabilities and indebtedness secured by the applicable Related Documents are continuing obligations and nothing contained herein shall be deemed to release, terminate or subordinate any lien, security interest or assignment created or evidenced by the Related Documents and all such liens, security interest and assignments and the priority thereof shall relate back to the date that any mortgage and the assignment of leases were recorded.  Borrower and Lender intend that this Agreement shall in no way affect the priority of any existing mortgage or assignment of leases or any of the other Related Documents or constitute a novation of the indebtedness secured thereby and the other Related Documents were delivered to Lender.

 

DEFINITIONS.   The following capitalized words and terms shall have the following meanings when used in this Agreement. Unless specifically stated to the contrary, all references to dollar amounts shall mean amounts in lawful money of the United States of America. Words and terms used in the singular shall include the plural, and the plural shall include the singular, as the context may require. Words and terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning attributed to such terms in the Uniform Commercial Code. Accounting words and terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as in effect on the date of this Agreement.

 

Advance.   The word “Advance” means a disbursement of Loan funds made, or to be made, to Borrower or on Borrower’s behalf under the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

Agreement.   The word “Agreement” means this Amended and Restated Business Loan Agreement, as this Amended and Restated Business Loan Agreement may be amended or modified from time to time, together with all exhibits and schedules attached to this Amended and Restated Business Loan Agreement from time to time.

 

Borrower.   The word “Borrower” means FARMLAND PARTNERS OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, and all its successors and assigns.

 

Borrower Party. The words “Borrower Party” means any of the Borrower, PH Farms LLC, an Illinois limited liability company, and Cottonwood Valley Land, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, and the words “Borrower Parties” means all of them.

 

Collateral.   The word “Collateral” means all property and assets granted as collateral security-to Lender for the Loan, whether real or personal property, whether granted directly or indirectly, whether granted now or in the future, and whether granted in the form of a security interest, mortgage, collateral mortgage, deed of trust, assignment, pledge, crop pledge, chattel mortgage, collateral chattel mortgage, chattel trust, factor’s lien, equipment trust, conditional safe, trust receipt, lien, charge, lien or title retention contract, lease or consignment intended as a security device, or any other security or lien interest whatsoever, whether created by law, contract, or otherwise.

 

Environmental Laws.   The words “Environmental Laws” mean any and all state, federal and local statutes, regulations and ordinances relating to the protection of human health or the environment, including without limitation the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, 42 U.S.C. Section 9601, et seq. (“CERCLA”), the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Action of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-499 (“SARA”), the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. Section 1808, et seq., the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 6901, et seq., or other applicable state or federal laws, rules, or regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

 

Event of Default.   The words “Event of Default” mean any of the events of default set forth in this Agreement in the default section of this Agreement.

 

Existing Borrower.   The words “Existing Borrower” means PITTMAN HOUGH FARMS, LLC, a Colorado

 

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limited liability company, and all its successors and assigns.

 

GAAP.   The word “GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Guarantors.   The word “Guarantors” means those parties executing and delivering to Lender a guaranty of all or any part of the Indebtedness, including, without limitation, Paul Pittman, Jesse Hough, Cottonwood Valley Land, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company and PH Farms LLC, an Illinois limited liability company. Each of the parties executing and delivering a guaranty to Lender as aforesaid is referred.to individually as a “Guarantor”.

 

Guaranty .  The word “Guaranty” means the guaranty from Guarantor to Lender, including without limitation a guaranty of all or part of the Notes.

 

Hazardous Substances.   The words “Hazardous Substance” mean materials that, because of their quantity, concentration or physical, chemical or infectious characteristics, may cause or pose a present or potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly used, treated, stored, disposed of, generated, manufactured, transported or otherwise handled. The words “Hazardous Substances” are used in their very broadest sense and include without limitation any and all hazardous or toxic substances, materials or waste as defined by or listed under the Environmental Laws. The term “Hazardous Substances” also include, without limitation, petroleum and petroleum by-products or any fraction thereof and asbestos, but does not include common agricultural chemicals and pesticides used in the ordinary course of Borrower’s farming operations involving the real estate comprising part of the Collateral.

 

Indebtedness.   The word “Indebtedness” is used in the most comprehensive sense and means and includes any and all of the Borrower Parties’ liabilities, obligations and debts to Lender, now existing or hereinafter incurred or created, including, without limitation, all loans, advances, interest, costs, debts, overdraft indebtedness, credit card indebtedness, lease obligations, other obligations, and liabilities of the Borrower Parties, or any of them, and any present or future judgments against one or more Borrower Parties; and whether any such Indebtedness is voluntarily or involuntarily incurred, due or not due, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, determined or undetermined; whether a Borrower Party may be liable individually or jointly with others, or primarily or secondarily, or as a guarantor or surety; whether recovery on the Indebtedness may be or may become barred or unenforceable against a Borrower Party for any reason whatsoever; and whether the Indebtedness arises from transactions which may be voidable on account of infancy, insanity, ultra vires, or otherwise.

 

Lender.   The word “Lender” means FIRST MIDWEST BANK, its successors and assigns.

 

Loan.   The word “Loan” means any and all loans and financial accommodations from Lender to Borrower whether now or hereafter existing, and however evidenced, including without limitation those loans and financial accommodations described herein or described on any exhibit or schedule attached to this Agreement from time to time.

 

Note.   The word “Notes” means the following promissory notes made, executed and delivered by Borrower to Lender:

 

“Term Note A” means that certain Amended and Restated Term Note A in the principal amount of $780,000.00 dated April 16, 2014, together with all renewals of, extensions of, modifications of, refinancings of, consolidations of and substitutions for said Term Note A.

 

“Term Note B” means that certain Amended and Restated Term Note B in the principal amount of $30,000,000.00 dated April 16, 2014, together with all renewals of, extensions of, modifications of, refinancings of, consolidations of and substitutions for said Term Note B.

 

Parent.   The word “Parent” means Farmland Partners Inc., a Maryland corporation, its successors and assigns, the parent company of Borrower.

 

Permitted Indebtedness.    The words “Permitted Indebtedness” means all Indebtedness, plus indebtedness for borrowed money incurred by Borrower (but for which no other Borrower Party is liable, directly or as a secondary obligor) plus guaranties made by Borrower of indebtedness of any of Borrower’s affiliates or subsidiaries if, at the time of incurrence, Borrower projects in good faith and with a reasonable basis that after giving effect to such incurrence Borrower will remain in compliance with its Minimum Debt

 

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Service Coverage Ratio covenant and its Maximum Debt to Net Worth Ratio covenant hereunder until the earlier of the June 28, 2016, and the date the Borrower so projects the Indebtedness to be paid in full.

 

Permitted Liens.   The words “Permitted Liens” mean (1) liens and security interests on the Collateral securing Indebtedness; (2) liens and security interests on assets other than Collateral securing any Permitted Indebtedness but not any obligation other than Permitted Indebtedness; (3) liens for taxes, assessments, or similar charges either not yet delinquent or being contested in good faith; (4) liens of materialmen, mechanics, warehousemen, or carriers, or other like liens arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations which are not yet delinquent; and (5) liens and security interests which, as of the date of this Agreement, have been disclosed to and approved by the Lender in writing.

 

Prior Loan Agreement.   The words “Prior Loan Agreement” means that certain Business Loan Agreement dated March 6, 2013, by and between the Existing Borrower and the Lender as it was amended from time to time prior to the date hereof.

 

Related Documents.   The words “Related Documents” mean all promissory notes, credit agreements, loan agreements, environmental agreements, guaranties, security agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust, security deeds, collateral mortgages, and all other instruments, agreements and documents, whether now or hereafter existing, executed in connection with the Loan, the Prior Loan Agreement or any prior agreement with respect to the lending relationship between the Lender and the Borrower including, without limitation, Term Note A and Term Note B.

 

Security Agreement.   The words “Security Agreement” mean and include without limitation any agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, understandings or other agreements, whether created by law, contract, or otherwise, evidencing, governing, representing, or creating a Security Interest.

 

Security Interest.   The words “Security Interest” mean, without limitation, any and all types of collateral security, present and future, whether in the form of a lien, charge, encumbrance, mortgage, deed of trust, security deed, assignment, pledge, crop pledge, chattel mortgage, collateral chattel mortgage, chattel trust, factor’s lien, equipment trust, conditional sale, trust receipt, lien or title retention contract, lease or consignment intended as a security device, or any other security lien interest whatsoever whether created by law, contract, or otherwise.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; Signature page to follow]

 

14



 

BORROWER ACKNOWLEDGES HAVING READ ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED BUSINESS LOAN AGREEMENT AND BORROWER AGREES TO ITS TERMS. THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED BUSINESS LOAN AGREEMENT IS DATED APRIL 16, 2014.

 

BORROWER:

 

FARMLAND PARTNERS OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, LP ,
a Delaware limited partnership

 

BY:

FARMLAND PARTNERS OP GP, LLC, its sole

 

 

General Partner

 

 

 

By:

FARMLAND PARTNERS INC. , its

 

 

sole Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Luca Fabbri

 

 

Name:

Luca Fabbri

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

LENDER:

 

 

 

 

 

FIRST MIDWEST BANK

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Rebecca P. King

 

Authorized Signer

 

 

Signature Page to A&R Business Loan Agreement

 


Exhibit 99.1

 

Farmland Partners Inc. Announces Agreement for Acquisition of Burlington, Colorado-Based Farm

 

Denver, CO—April 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/—Farmland Partners Inc. (NYSEMKT:FPI) (the “Company”) today announced that it has entered into purchase agreements to acquire an approximately 3,696-acre row crop farm for approximately $8.75 million. The Burlington, Colorado-based farm is located primarily in eastern Colorado, with a small portion of the acres immediately across the border in western Kansas. The Company intends to sign a three-year lease with the seller at an anticipated unlevered annual cash return of approximately 4.63%. The acquisition, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close no later than May 30, 2014. The Company intends to obtain mortgage financing on the farm at or subsequent to closing in an amount representing approximately 40-50% of the purchase price.

 

“We are excited to announce this sale-and-leaseback transaction with a very successful Burlington-based farm family. We think this is the first of several high-quality farmland investments we intend to make in the coming months,” said Paul Pittman, CEO of Farmland Partners Inc. “Once this acquisition closes, Farmland Partners’ portfolio will consist of over 11,000 acres of row crop farmland, addressing the increasing global grain demand.”

 

About Farmland Partners Inc.

 

Farmland Partners Inc. is an internally managed real estate company that owns and seeks to acquire high-quality primary row crop farmland located in agricultural markets throughout North America. The Company’s portfolio is comprised of 38 farms with an aggregate of approximately 7,300 acres in Illinois, Nebraska and Colorado. The Company intends to elect and qualify to be taxed as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, commencing with the taxable year ending December 31, 2014.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws, including statements regarding the pending acquisition. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which may be beyond the Company’s control. These forward-looking statements are based upon the Company’s present expectations, but the events, expectations, intentions or prospects suggested by or reflected in these statements are not guaranteed to occur or be achieved, and you should not place undue reliance on such statements.  Furthermore, the Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, of new information, data or methods, future events or other changes, except as may be required by law. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could impact the Company’s future results, performance or transactions, see the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s final prospectus related to its initial public offering dated April 10, 2014.