SEGMENT REPORTING Segment Information by Major Operating Segment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 85,151	$ 32,174	$ 16,032
Net investment income	4,142	6,593	5,939
Depreciation and amortization	1,464	1,355	1,290
Income (loss) before income taxes	(15,685)	(19,838)	(40,742)
Equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliate	(5,293)	(3,717)	(277)
Total assets	684,151	692,502	687,617
Capital expenditure	91,868	6,874	450
Real Estate Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	57,085	5,284	12,436
Net investment income	483	774	960
Depreciation and amortization	36	59	43
Income (loss) before income taxes	3,550	(3,340)	(1,156)
Total assets	131,788	146,897	149,217
Capital expenditure	99	113	61
Water Resource and Water Storage Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	1,349	3,066	4,334
Net investment income	169	688	408
Depreciation and amortization	1,182	1,168	1,076
Income (loss) before income taxes	(22,231)	(18,240)	(16,850)
Total assets	207,385	226,496	207,565
Capital expenditure	230	399	325
Insurance Operations in Run Off
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	20,313	10,627	(3,225)
Net investment income	1,136	1,764	1,626
Depreciation and amortization	20	4	3
Income (loss) before income taxes	18,973	8,817	(3,214)
Total assets	88,048	114,872	114,875
Capital expenditure		3	21
Agribusiness Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	9
Net investment income	2
Depreciation and amortization	10
Income (loss) before income taxes	(5,424)
Total assets	122,664	78,448
Capital expenditure	91,031	5,838
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	6,395	13,197	2,487
Net investment income	2,352	3,367	2,945
Depreciation and amortization	216	124	168
Income (loss) before income taxes	(10,553)	(7,075)	(19,522)
Equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliate	(5,293)	(3,717)	(277)
Total assets	134,266	125,789	215,960
Capital expenditure	$ 508	$ 521	$ 43