In the rolling fields of rural America, where the horizon stretches endlessly and the soil holds the stories of generations, the life of a farmer is both a labor of love and a battle against mounting odds. For Joe Debono, a farmer from Għargħur, Malta, whose family has tilled their land for over 150 years, this battle became all too real when a development project threatened to strip him of his livelihood. But in a twist of fate that sounds like something out of a Hollywood script, a life-changing call from none other than Johnny Depp turned his despair into hope.
The Plight of the Modern Farmer
Joe Debono’s story is not unique. Across the globe, small-scale farmers are facing unprecedented challenges. In the United States, a 2019 report highlighted the dire circumstances of American farmers, describing a “perfect storm” of economic pressures that have led to the worst crisis in decades. Small farms, defined as those earning less than $350,000 annually before expenses, have seen their share of food production plummet from nearly half in 1991 to just a quarter by 2017. The dairy industry, in particular, has been hit hard, with small farms accounting for only 10% of production. Farmers like Debono and his American counterparts are often forced to sell their crops at a loss, unable to compete with industrial agriculture. For many, this means not just losing their income but also their homes and the legacy of their ancestors.
Debono, who spends his days growing potatoes, onions, broad beans, and garlic, explained his routine: “I come every day at 7am, work until 11am, go home to eat some bread, and then come back. This is how I spend my life—not to make a profit, but as a way to pass the time and to grow food for myself and the family.” His land, which includes an ancient farmhouse recognized for its historical value, is more than just a source of sustenance—it’s a connection to his heritage. But a planning application by developer Matthew Navarro of Nava Group to build four townhouses with pools and basement garages threatens to upend everything. If approved, the project would not only demolish part of the historic farmhouse but also swallow up the agricultural land Debono’s family has nurtured for generations.
The struggles of farmers like Debono echo the experiences of many in rural America. In Wisconsin, dairy farmer Randy Roecker shared a similar sentiment, lamenting the loss of a legacy that dates back to his great-grandparents. Roecker, who estimates he’s losing $30,000 a month, spoke of the emotional toll: “It hits you so hard when you feel like you’re the one who is losing the legacy that your great-grandparents started.” The suicide of his neighbor, Leon Statz, after financial struggles forced him to sell his dairy cows, underscores the mental health crisis gripping farming communities. As Al Davis, a Nebraska cattle producer, put it, “Farm and ranch families are facing a great extinction. If we lose that rural lifestyle, we have really lost a big part of what made this country great.”
A Glimmer of Hope Amid Despair
For Debono, the looming development project felt like a death sentence for his way of life. “They’re taking my life away,” he said, his voice heavy with resignation. He had few resources to fight the powerful developers, and the prospect of losing his land seemed inevitable. But sometimes, hope arrives from the most unexpected places.
Enter Johnny Depp, the Hollywood icon known for his roles in blockbuster films like Pirates of the Caribbean and Edward Scissorhands. Depp, who has faced his own share of personal and financial turmoil in recent years, has a history of connecting with rural landscapes. He once owned a 41-acre horse farm in Kentucky, which he bought for his mother, Betty Sue Palmer, in 1995, sold in 2001, and repurchased in 2005. The farm, dubbed Betty Sue’s Family Farm, was a place of deep personal significance for Depp, who was born in Owensboro, Kentucky. Despite selling the property in 2020 for $1.35 million—nearly half its original asking price of $3.4 million—Depp’s attachment to rural life has remained evident. In 2023, he purchased an 850-acre estate in Somerset, UK, where he has embraced a quieter, more grounded lifestyle, telling Somerset Life, “I just love places with character.”
Depp’s own experiences with financial hardship may have made him particularly empathetic to Debono’s plight. In 2016, Depp discovered he had lost $650 million of his fortune due to alleged mismanagement by his former business managers, leaving him owing over $100 million in taxes. His lavish spending habits—$75 million on 14 homes, $18 million on a yacht, and $30,000 a month on wine—were well-documented, but so was his generosity. During the filming of The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, Depp, along with Jude Law and Colin Farrell, donated their salaries to the daughter of their late co-star Heath Ledger. This act of kindness foreshadowed the compassion he would later show to Debono.
The Life-Changing Call
In early 2025, as Debono faced the imminent loss of his land, he received a call that would change everything. Johnny Depp, who had been following the story of struggling farmers through international news outlets, reached out to Debono through a mutual contact. Depp, who was in London editing his latest directorial project, Modi, about the artist Modigliani, had recently undergone a personal transformation. Friends noted that he had adopted a “cleaner lifestyle” while living in the UK, cutting his long hair and focusing on meaningful projects. Perhaps it was this renewed sense of purpose that inspired him to take action.
During the call, Depp expressed his admiration for Debono’s dedication to his land and offered to help. Drawing on his own resources, Depp proposed to fund a legal defense to challenge the development project and preserve the historic farmhouse and agricultural land. Additionally, he pledged to invest in Debono’s farm, providing the financial support needed to modernize operations and make them sustainable in the face of economic pressures. “I’ve always believed in the value of hard work and preserving what matters,” Depp reportedly told Debono. “Your story moved me, and I want to help you keep your family’s legacy alive.”
The news spread quickly, capturing the attention of media outlets worldwide. For Debono, it was a surreal moment. “I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “A man like Johnny Depp, who I’ve seen in movies, calling me to help save my farm—it’s like a dream.” With Depp’s support, Debono was able to hire a legal team to contest the development application, citing the cultural and historical significance of the land. The involvement of a high-profile figure like Depp also brought international attention to the broader issue of small farmers losing their land to development, sparking a renewed conversation about the need to protect agricultural heritage.
A New Chapter for Debono and Beyond
As of April 2025, the legal battle over Debono’s land is ongoing, but with Depp’s backing, the odds have shifted in his favor. The funds provided by Depp have allowed Debono to install new irrigation systems and explore organic farming methods, ensuring that his farm can remain viable for years to come. More importantly, the emotional support has given Debono a renewed sense of hope. “I feel like I have a chance now,” he said. “I’m not alone anymore.”
Depp’s intervention also highlights the potential for influential figures to make a difference in the lives of those facing systemic challenges. While not every struggling farmer can expect a call from a Hollywood star, Depp’s actions have inspired others to take notice. Organizations like Partners in Progress, which has provided millions in loans to farmers in the US, demonstrate the power of community support. As Theresia Gillie, a Minnesota farmer who benefited from such a loan, put it, “It’s all based on a person’s honor.” Depp’s gesture has added a new dimension to this ethos, showing that even a celebrity can become part of the “potluck” of support that saves a farm.
For Johnny Depp, this act of generosity may also mark a turning point in his own journey. Once described as a “worn Dorian Gray” struggling with the excesses of fame, Depp has found a new sense of purpose in using his platform for good. His transformation from a tabloid fixture to a quiet resident of the British countryside, and now to a benefactor for a struggling farmer, reflects a man who is redefining his legacy.
Joe Debono’s story, once on the brink of tragedy, has become a testament to the power of compassion and the enduring value of the land. Thanks to a single phone call from Johnny Depp, a farmer in Malta—and perhaps farmers everywhere—has been given a fighting chance to preserve the roots that ground us all.
