Segment Reporting (Details) Segment Information by Major Operating Segment (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 150,081	$ 64,839	$ 21,546
Depreciation and amortization	5,154	1,445	1,351
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliate	(29,578)	(34,657)	(28,655)
Equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliate		(5,293)	(3,717)
Total assets	667,174	688,065	692,502
Capital expenditure	32,918	91,868	6,872
Water Resource and Water Storage Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	3,096	1,349	3,066
Depreciation and amortization	1,325	1,182	1,168
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliate	(6,279)	(22,231)	(18,240)
Total assets	210,189	207,385	226,496
Capital expenditure	547	230	399
Real Estate Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	59,066	57,085	5,284
Depreciation and amortization	147	36	59
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliate	2,487	3,550	(3,340)
Total assets	145,978	131,788	146,897
Capital expenditure	505	99	113
Agribusiness Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	85,305	9
Depreciation and amortization	3,471	10
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliate	(12,654)	(5,424)
Total assets	165,961	122,664	78,448
Capital expenditure	31,579	91,031	5,838
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	2,614	6,396	13,196
Depreciation and amortization	211	217	124
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliate	(13,132)	(10,552)	(7,075)
Equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliate		(5,293)	(3,717)
Total assets	145,046	149,180	136,781
Capital expenditure	287	508	522
Discontinued Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets		$ 77,048	$ 103,880