<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001193125-16-776476.txt : 20161123
<SEC-HEADER>0001193125-16-776476.hdr.sgml : 20161123
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20161123161102
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001193125-16-776476
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	DEFA14A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
FILED AS OF DATE:		20161123
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20161123
EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20161123

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FARMER BROTHERS CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000034563
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MISCELLANEOUS FOOD PREPARATIONS & KINDRED PRODUCTS [2090]
		IRS NUMBER:				950725980
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		DEFA14A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-34249
		FILM NUMBER:		162016707

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		13601 NORTH FREEWAY, SUITE 200
		CITY:			FORT WORTH
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			76177
		BUSINESS PHONE:		682 549 6600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 77057
		CITY:			FORT WORTH
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			76177
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>DEFA14A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>d296820ddefa14a.htm
<DESCRIPTION>DEFA14A
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>DEFA14A</TITLE>
</HEAD>
 <BODY BGCOLOR="WHITE">

 <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>UNITED STATES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SCHEDULE 14A
</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Rule&nbsp;14a-101) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section&nbsp;14(a) of the </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. <U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U> ) </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Filed by the
Registrant&nbsp;&nbsp;&#9746;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Filed by a Party other than the
Registrant&nbsp;&nbsp;&#9744;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Check the appropriate box: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="96%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">&#9744;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Preliminary Proxy Statement</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">&#9744;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><B>Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))</B></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">&#9744;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Definitive Proxy Statement</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">&#9746;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Definitive Additional Materials</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">&#9744;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Soliciting Material Pursuant to &#167;240.14a-12</TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:22pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>FARMER
BROS.&nbsp;CO. </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:18pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the
Registrant) </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): </P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="92%"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>

<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">&#9746;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3">No fee required.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">&#9744;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3">Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">(1)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">(2)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">(3)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing
fee is calculated and state how it was determined):</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">(4)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">(5)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Total fee paid:</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="24"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="24" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">&#9744;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3">Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="24"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="24" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">&#9744;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3">Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="24"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="24" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="24" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">(1)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Amount Previously Paid:</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">(2)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">(3)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Filing Party:</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">(4)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Date Filed:</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">On November&nbsp;23, 2016, Farmer Bros. Co. issued the following statement. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Leading Independent Proxy Advisory Firm ISS Recommends that Farmer Bros. Stockholders </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Vote &#147;FOR&#148; All Three Farmer Bros. Co. Director Nominees </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><I>Farmer Bros. Urges Stockholders to Protect the Value of Their Investment </I></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><I>and Vote &#147;FOR&#148; Farmer Bros&#146; Director Nominees on the GOLD Proxy Card </I></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>FT. WORTH, Texas &#150; November&nbsp;23, 2016 </B>&#150; Farmer Bros. Co. (NASDAQ: FARM, the &#147;Company&#148; or &#147;Farmer Bros.&#148;) today
announced that leading independent proxy firm, Institutional Shareholder Services (&#147;ISS&#148;), has recommended that Farmer Bros. stockholders vote <B>&#147;FOR&#148;</B> all three of the Farmer Bros. highly-qualified and experienced director
nominees &#150; Michael H. Keown, Charles F. Marcy and Christopher P. Mottern &#150; on the <B><U>GOLD</U></B> proxy card in connection with the Company&#146;s 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on December&nbsp;8, 2016. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In its November&nbsp;23, 2016 report, ISS concluded<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">i</SUP>: </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&#147;As the dissident has failed to make a compelling case that change at the board level is necessary, <B>no support for the dissident
nominees is warranted</B>. Shareholders should vote on the GOLD management card FOR management nominees Keown, Marcy, and Mottern.&#148; <I>(Emphasis added)</I> </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In supporting ALL three Farmer Bros. nominees to the Board of Directors at the 2016 Annual Meeting, ISS also stated in its report<SUP
STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">i</SUP>: </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&#147;It seems difficult to dispute the fact that the current board and CEO have been
the main driver behind the turnaround of Farmer Bros., having delivered an impressive improvement of the company fundamentals and strong appreciation of the company&#146;s stock, from $11.83 in 2012 to $34.10 in 2016.&#148; </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In commenting on the Company&#146;s operating performance and capital allocation decisions, ISS stated: </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&#147;In fact, since the current CEO&#146;s tenure started, the company has delivered solid absolute and relative performance over any period
analyzed.&#148; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&#147;Furthermore, management&#146;s capital allocation decisions do not appear to be misguided. Using the move to Texas
as an example, the cost of [the] new plant is between $120 million and $129 million and it is expected to save between $18 million to $20 million in costs per year. If only costs savings are considered in a ROIC analysis, this new plant will
generate a ROIC between 9 percent and 11 percent, which is above the company&#146;s WACC. While the relocation appears to have been a good decision from a logistics and cost standpoint, investments made in Torrance were apparently necessary to
address safety concerns, and therefore do not seem to undermine the logic of the move to Texas, as the dissident group suggests.&#148; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">ISS also
recognized that the Farmer Bros. Board is committed to strong corporate governance and to acting in the best interest of <B><U>ALL</U></B> stockholders, noting: </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&#147;&#133;the company&#146;s overall governance also appears to have improved substantially in recent years, often as a direct result of the
contributions of directors like Mottern and Marcy, the two most recently added members. For instance, the board only appears to have instituted a governance committee following Marcy&#146;s addition to the board.&#148; </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Additionally, ISS agreed that the Waite Group has offered <B><U>NO</U></B> plan and that its hand-picked nominees lack qualifications, experience and
independence: </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&#147;The dissident has also failed to demonstrate that it is adequately prepared to address any downside risks associated
with this contest: although an election victory would leave the dissident group with a majority of the board, none of the members of such a reconstituted board seem to possess any outside board experience or relevant industry knowledge or
operational expertise beyond that gained during their years at the company. <B>The lack of relevant experience of certain members of the dissident slate also raises serious concerns as to whether the dissident group&#146;s interests are truly
aligned with those of unaffiliated shareholders.</B>&#148; <I>(Emphasis added)</I> </P>

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&#147;Furthermore, the dissident group has likewise failed to present any future plan for the
company that is clearly superior to the strategy developed by the current board &#150; which has demonstrated strong results.&#148; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Commenting on the ISS
report, Farmer Bros. issued the following statement: </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The recommendation from ISS to support <B><U>ALL THREE</U></B> of Farmer Bros.
highly qualified and experienced director nominees reaffirms what we have said all along &#150; Farmer Bros. needs a Board that has the right combination of critical food industry expertise, C-level executive leadership experience, operational and
financial skills and company knowledge &#150; and that is focused on the interests of <B><U>ALL</U></B> stockholders. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">As ISS recognizes,
under the leadership and direction of the current Board as well as Mr.&nbsp;Keown, President and Chief Executive Officer, Farmer Bros. continues to successfully execute a turnaround plan that is creating substantial value for all stockholders. In
fact, since March&nbsp;13, 2012, when the Board appointed Mr.&nbsp;Keown, Farmer Bros.&#146; stock price has appreciated over 225%, representing strong value creation of over $400 million for stockholders. In that timeframe, the Company&#146;s total
stockholder return outperformed the Russell 2000 Index, as well as the Food Processing Index. Additionally, the Company&#146;s total stockholder return has consistently outperformed both the S&amp;P 500 and its peer set over almost any timeframe
since 2012.<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">ii</SUP> </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We strongly believe that the Waite Group&#146;s nominees lack the
qualifications and experience necessary to deliver positive financial results and superior stockholder value and would add no value to the Board. In addition, the Waite Group&#146;s nominees have deep personal ties that would compromise the
independence of the Board. Electing the Waite Group nominees puts your investment at risk by effectively placing control of the Board in the Waite Group&#146;s hands, which would put the Company&#146;s leadership at risk and would derail the
Company&#146;s proven turnaround plan. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We strongly urge stockholders to follow ISS&#146;s recommendation and protect their investment by
voting <B>&#147;FOR&#148;</B> Farmer Bros. director nominees &#150; Michael H. Keown, Charles F. Marcy and Christopher P. Mottern on the <B><U>GOLD</U></B> proxy card. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Farmer Bros. reminds stockholders that every vote is important, no matter how many or how few shares it represents. <B>The Company urges all stockholders to
use the <U>GOLD</U> proxy card to vote &#147;FOR&#148; the Company&#146;s highly-qualified and experienced director nominees TODAY.</B> </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Your Vote Is Important, No Matter How Many or How Few Shares You Own </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>If you have any questions or require any assistance with respect to voting your shares, please contact </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>the Company&#146;s proxy solicitor at the contact listed below: </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" ALIGN="center">


<IMG SRC="g296820snap0010.gif" ALT="LOGO">
 </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>470 West Avenue </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Stamford, Connecticut 06902 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Stockholders Call Toll Free: (800)&nbsp;662-5200 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Banks and Brokers Call Collect: (203)&nbsp;658-9400 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>About Farmer Bros. Co. </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Founded in 1912, Farmer Bros.
Co. is a national coffee roaster, wholesaler and distributor of coffee, tea and culinary products. The Company&#146;s product lines include organic, Direct Trade and sustainably-produced coffee. With a robust line of coffee, hot and iced teas,
cappuccino mixes, spices, and baking/biscuit mixes, the Company delivers extensive beverage planning services and culinary products to its U.S. based customers. The Company is a direct distributor of coffee to restaurants, hotels, casinos, offices,
quick service restaurants, convenience stores, healthcare facilities and other foodservice providers, as well as private brand retailers. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Headquartered
in Fort Worth, Texas, Farmer Bros. Co. generated net sales of over $500 million in fiscal 2016 and has approximately 1,600 employees nationwide. The Company&#146;s portfolio features a wide range of coffees including Farmer Brothers<SUP
STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">&reg;</SUP>, Artisan Collection by Farmer Brothers&#153;, Metropolitan&#153;, Superior<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">&reg;</SUP>, Cain&#146;s&#153; and McGarvey<SUP
STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">&reg;</SUP>. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Forward-looking Statements </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Certain statements in this communication constitute &#147;forward-looking statements.&#148; When used in this communication, the words &#147;will,&#148;
&#147;expects,&#148; &#147;anticipates,&#148; &#147;estimates&#148; and &#147;believes,&#148; and similar expressions and statements that are made in the future tense or refer to future events or developments, are intended to identify such
forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expected cost savings relating to the Company&#146;s corporate relocation. These statements
are based on management&#146;s current expectations, assumptions, estimates and observations of future events and include any statements that do not directly relate to any historical or current fact; actual results may differ materially due in part
to the risk factors set forth in our most recent annual, periodic and current reports filed with the SEC. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Undue reliance should not be placed on the
forward-looking statements in this communication, which are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update such statements. </P>

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Important Additional Information and Where to Find It </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Farmer Bros. Co. has filed a definitive proxy statement and accompanying proxy card with the SEC in connection with the solicitation of proxies from the
Company&#146;s stockholders in connection with the matters to be considered at the Company&#146;s 2016 Annual Meeting. Additional information regarding the identity of participants, and their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or
otherwise, is set forth in the Company&#146;s definitive proxy statement, including the schedules and appendices thereto. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">THE COMPANY URGES ITS INVESTORS
AND STOCKHOLDERS TO READ CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY SUPPLEMENTS OR AMENDMENTS), THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY CARD AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT THE COMPANY MAY FILE WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE
BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Farmer Bros. Co., certain of its directors and certain of its executive officers may be deemed to be
participants in the solicitation of proxies from the Company&#146;s stockholders in connection with the matters to be considered at the Company&#146;s 2016 Annual Meeting. Information regarding the names of the Company&#146;s directors and executive
officers and their respective interests in the Company by security holdings or otherwise is set forth in the Company&#146;s definitive proxy statement for its 2016 Annual Meeting. To the extent holdings of the Company&#146;s securities have changed
since the amounts set forth in the Company&#146;s definitive proxy statement for the 2016 Annual Meeting, such changes have been reflected on Initial Statements of Beneficial Ownership on Form 3, Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 or Annual
Statements of Changes in Beneficial Ownership of Securities on Form 5 filed with the SEC. These documents are available free of charge at the SEC&#146;s website at www.sec.gov. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Copies of the definitive proxy statement (including any supplements or amendments), the accompanying proxy card, and any other documents filed by the Company
with the SEC are available free of charge at the SEC&#146;s website at www.sec.gov. Copies are available free of charge at the Investor Relations section of the Company&#146;s website at www.farmerbros.com. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Additional Information </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>INVESTOR CONTACT: </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Isaac N. Johnston, Jr. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(682) 549-6663 </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Tom Ball / Mike Verrechia </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Morrow Sodali </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(203) 658-9400 </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>MEDIA CONTACT: </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Kelly Sullivan / Ed Trissel / Leigh Parrish </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Joele Frank,
Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(212) 355-4449 </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:8.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;width:10%">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">i</SUP>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Permission to use quotations neither sought nor obtained. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">ii</SUP>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Stock price appreciation, stockholder value and total stockholder return from 03/13/2012 through 09/28/2016. </TD></TR></TABLE>
</BODY></HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>GRAPHIC
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>g296820snap0010.gif
<DESCRIPTION>GRAPHIC
<TEXT>
begin 644 g296820snap0010.gif
M1TE&.#=AK@ Z ,8  /______]_?W]_?O[_?W[__W]\;&QG-S<TI*2CDY.5)2
M4HR,C.?GY][>UHR,A&-C6IR<G._OY^_GYVMK:UI:6FMK8];6UJ6EI4)".6-C
M8ZVMI4)"0J6EG(R$A"$A(0 ( ! 0$!@8& @0" @("-[>WC$Q,4I*0L[.Q@
M "DI*2$A&"DI(1 8$+V]M<[.SJVMK6MC8Q@A&(2$A'M[>\[&QK6UM924E#DY
M,=;6SK6UK3$Q*5I:4N_O[[V]O<:]O:6<G%)22JVEI1@8$#E".7-S:R$I(924
MC#$Y,4)*0H2$>\;&O7M[<P@( -;.SN?GWIR<E+VUM92,C$I22A 0"+6MK7MS
M<UI24N?>WM[6UBDQ*0
M
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M*'C1%<+3&%8;.67! 8#3$"5P&?"0Y6 E+$I+^!)T0$B(!8]<I!!2(=F@!B9
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M@  .")% -(]P($2LANCJ0:^,-!2"?X,8&,(1F59R@@<ZX.)M L148*8C#&
M0@(= A# !2F \!]WIPFRZ0:\D<>" X(P4.B9CD3@;@*0"A+ "_52X%DC&E'[
M7&P*_GPWR0LA$ B 9D*,EP0(%#Q2PT<I5+#  A3$\"XN%(IVFPL>L' H:^;U
ME\)%C[10[PHFH_Q1 BP[8H-6#P- Q!0/6C(#"D!0PZ!$@G P0@K],E*#NTR,
MH+5603OB !-'W ; !".L@ ,D*XYPYJM,[%!T(ST\I;76("C01"3"L255"*):
M L$#<M:P!#<63'! U8PP\$0&""@PP0MB/P)%!C)\5W@&V"X8109B#?)"!@>$
M"PD#$&0@A>,:1 X4$286,,-ZLMAB<>R:!# [[;CGKOONO/?N^^_ !R_\\,07
M;_SQR">O_/+,-^_\\]!'+_WTU%=OO!,6@',) SA88.(C_CQ$('X$JE<2@(+F
MBW][)0*0_TD/.QBK0P5G3]+# R5XE, !=T/BQ 8E"* .$I"!%Z#&$C5P6"5<
M< .@;4(&*;C7)FJP@JG1:@0.C$0'/,"1O&A-!X%Q! GBDY<0@( )(<B ]BC!
MHX1-P@ QB '.,$&$$2!@?97@06@F0 ("&& #(XC*6$R(  Z<P  +* $(4M""
M1Y#@'S9PP0EJ, &54>![CH 99RJ1)JAIPD85XP0./(*S$]B@?H[ 0<.4@X.G
MF*!\B'AB#& G"!NH0&:46()E4H#&2'1QAI< (PXI\<00S$!TDM#3$1S3#16$
MH(F-D",D%?8 $" !BXMH0 E6_D KX$SBCYL0)"<"0 23)( ",IBD(\ TG4)$
M" 0 B^0_5 D 716AC_BB@*X2@,A'@/*+=1LD)2)P@'II+0050)PBC(2D,2U)
MA+,L!,8\0(-(\& (+(  H4!@)3^2,93!_ 0.+B #()B08(L(@&\R<(A9@0 S
MLHP!+0.4 D8Z(@AT(096$/"V1OPR$Z+<! ]\@+.,E$69B:!G-0OQ R?%:Q&2
M) 0/=*. ?BY3 1FS@0TVY('M0.*?F BH)FS@LD% @ 4E0&@<"[6!/N9 !YPZ
M("/D&"\>;$@^D,C.1E" @@^8Y '"/$07[1G(<&YB,7MJ@0M>D  0M-)%'RG!
M 2X U $81!60BI#C 2   1D\Q4Q!-<0$6( !&9C5 55<0; <T<4%O."M&J@!
M'!TA4DU P ,^#8$(;$BD1UR@!"/X@-9\:H*U,B(H(/G !U P-0?(U!$G4 $(
M]":( @#QJ8TP@ GGIK45$!42$_B "<(J"0,<  $)4, ">OF(!CA  0E(P ,@
MH-)$2& "%,@M!4S6-;]B@"6%T, &*#!71#0@ [K5[0%6* D.** #I)W$LC0Q
F@.*>(@"/I4AVK<?=[GKWN^ -KWC'2][RFO>\Z$VO>M<[O4   #L!

end
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
