It’s just a farm. At least, that’s what Matt Roloff probably tells himself when the taxes are due or the North Star barn needs a new coat of paint. But for anyone who spent twenty years watching Little People, Big World, the Little People Big World farm—officially known as Roloff Farms—isn’t just a patch of dirt in Helvetia, Oregon. It’s a character. It’s where we watched Jeremy and Zach grow up, where Amy built a life, and where the "big dream" eventually hit a very messy, very public brick wall.
The dirt is real. The family drama? Also very real.
If you’ve kept up with the TLC show, you know the property has been the center of a massive family fracture. It’s not just about pumpkins anymore. It’s about a legacy that kind of fell apart under the weight of expectations and a $4 million price tag. People always ask if the farm is still open or if the kids ended up buying it. The answer is complicated. Honestly, it’s a bit of a bummer for longtime fans who wanted a happy ending where the next generation took over the tractor keys.
The $4 Million Drama That Split the Roloffs
For years, the narrative was simple. Matt would retire, and one of the twins—Jeremy or Zach—would take over the Little People Big World farm. That was the plan. Or so we thought. In reality, the transition from father to son was a disaster. Matt put a significant portion of the farm, about 16 acres including the original family home, on the market for $4 million back in 2022.
The kids weren’t happy.
Zach Roloff was pretty vocal about it. He and his wife, Tori, eventually packed up and moved to Washington. They didn’t just move; they checked out of the farm business entirely. Zach made it clear on the show that the negotiations with his dad didn't go well. He felt the "family discount" wasn't actually a discount. Matt, on the other hand, argued he had to protect his retirement and the business’s value. It was a classic case of family business vs. family feelings. Business won.
What most people get wrong is thinking the whole farm was for sale. It wasn't. The farm is huge—over 100 acres. Matt only tried to sell the "big house" and the surrounding acreage. When it didn't sell for $4 million, he changed tactics. He turned it into a short-term rental. Now, you can actually stay in the house where the Roloffs grew up, provided you have a few thousand dollars and a group of friends.
Pumpkin Season: Is It Still a Thing?
Every October, the Little People Big World farm transforms. It’s pumpkin season. This is the bread and butter of the operation. Thousands of people descend on Hillsboro to see the "Western Town," ride the wagons, and maybe catch a glimpse of Matt or Chris Marek (Amy’s husband) roaming the grounds.
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But it feels different now.
Amy Roloff sold her stake in the farm to Matt years ago. Watching her return to help with pumpkin season is... awkward. You can see it in her face sometimes. She’s a guest on the land she helped build. She often manages the "Amy’s Corner" merchandise area, selling her cookbooks and fudge. It’s a business arrangement now, plain and simple.
The attractions are still there:
- The giant slide.
- The "Crabby" barn.
- The forest trails.
- The gift shop where you can buy Roloff Farms salsa.
But the heart of it—the idea of a family working together—has been replaced by a well-oiled corporate machine. That’s not necessarily a bad thing for tourism, but for fans of the show, it feels a bit hollow. The "Western Town" that Matt built for his kids is now a backdrop for Instagram photos of strangers.
The Short-Term Rental Reality
Let’s talk about that rental. Matt decided that since he couldn’t sell the property to his kids or a third party for the price he wanted, he’d monetize it. The big house is listed on sites like Airbnb and iTrip. It’s a luxury stay. It has the pool, the big kitchen, and all the "LPBW" vibes you could want.
But it’s also a sign of the times. The Little People Big World farm is no longer a residence; it's an asset. Matt lives in a new house he built on a different part of the property with his fiancée, Caryn Chandler. The fact that the original family home is now a vacation rental tells you everything you need to know about where the family stands. They’ve moved on.
Why the Legacy Hit a Snag
Legacy is a heavy word. Matt spent decades building a playground for little people, a place where his kids wouldn't feel limited by their stature. He built scaled-down buildings and massive adventures. But legacy requires a successor.
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Jeremy and Audrey Roloff also tried to buy a piece of the farm. That fell through too. They ended up buying their own farm nearby. So, you have Matt on the original land, Jeremy on his own farm, and Zach in a different state. The dream of a "Roloff Empire" all under one fence is dead.
It’s a lesson in estate planning and family communication. Or a lack thereof. When you mix reality TV fame, millions of dollars in real estate, and parental expectations, things get messy. Matt has been criticized by fans for being "greedy," but in his mind, he’s just a businessman. He’s always been a dreamer and a builder. Sometimes builders forget that the people inside the buildings matter more than the architecture.
Visiting the Farm: What to Expect in 2026
If you’re planning a trip to the Little People Big World farm, you need to know it’s not a year-round theme park. It’s a working farm.
- Timing matters. Pumpkin season is usually the only time the general public can just walk in (with a ticket). Outside of October, the gates are mostly closed unless you’re a registered guest at the rental house.
- The "Western Town" is smaller than it looks on TV. Camera angles do wonders. It’s cool, but don't expect Disneyland.
- It’s a hike. Wear boots. It’s Oregon. It rains. It’s muddy.
- Celebrity sightings aren't guaranteed. Matt is often around during pumpkin season, but he’s working. Don't expect a private sit-down.
The farm is located in the Tualatin Valley, which is beautiful. Even if you aren't a die-hard fan of the show, the area is worth the drive. There are wineries nearby and great hiking. But the farm itself is the main draw for the TLC crowd.
The Business of Being a Roloff
Matt has diversified. He’s not just selling pumpkins. There’s the salsa line, the books, and the speaking engagements. The Little People Big World farm is the hub for all of that. It’s a brand.
When you look at the financials, Matt’s decision to keep the farm and rent it out was probably the smartest move. The property value in Hillsboro and Helvetia has skyrocketed. By holding onto the land, he’s sitting on a goldmine. But the cost was high. He lost the daily presence of his grandkids on that land.
Zach and Tori’s kids—Jackson, Lilah, and Josiah—aren't growing up running through those woods like Jeremy and Zach did. That’s the real tragedy of the farm saga. The physical space is still there, but the memories are being made elsewhere.
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What’s Next for Roloff Farms?
Is the show ending? Is the farm going to be sold eventually?
Rumors fly every season. As of now, the Little People Big World farm remains in Matt’s hands. He seems content with the rental model. It brings in steady income without the headache of a permanent resident.
But the tension hasn't fully evaporated. Amy still lives nearby and is very much involved in the community. The rift between Matt and Zach seems to have softened into a "polite distance," but the closeness they once had is gone.
If you want to experience the farm, do it sooner rather than later. Land use laws in Oregon are tricky, and as the area develops, these large family farms often get carved up. For now, the "big house" stands as a monument to a reality TV era that changed how the world sees little people.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Visitors
If you're looking to engage with the Little People Big World farm legacy, here is how to do it right:
- Check the official website in August. This is when pumpkin season tickets usually go on sale. They sell out fast, especially for weekend slots.
- Follow the family on social media for real updates. If you want the truth about the farm, ignore the supermarket tabloids. Matt and Amy are both very active on Instagram and often post about what’s happening on the property in real-time.
- Support the kids’ ventures. If you’re bummed they aren’t on the farm, check out Jeremy’s "The Roloff Company" or Zach’s projects. They are building their own legacies now.
- Respect the neighbors. Helvetia is a quiet, rural community. If you visit, don't park on the side of the road or trespass. Use the designated guest entrances.
- Book the rental for a "superfan" experience. If you have the budget, staying in the house is the only way to see the private parts of the property like the bridge and the deeper woods.
The story of the farm is a reminder that even the most beautiful settings can't fix fundamental family disagreements. It’s a gorgeous piece of land with a complicated history. Whether it remains a destination for another twenty years or eventually gets sold off to a developer, its place in pop culture history is secure. For now, the pumpkins are still growing, the wagons are still rolling, and the Roloff name is still firmly planted in the Oregon soil.
The "big world" just got a little more complicated.
Key Takeaway: If you’re heading to Roloff Farms, go for the history and the atmosphere, but don’t expect the family-centric vibe from the early seasons of the show. It’s a professional operation now, focused on preservation and business. Plan your visit for October to get the full experience, and always book your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment at the gate.