Matt Roloff and Amy Roloff bought their Oregon farm in 1990, years before their family became famous on Little People, Big World. (Photo: Facebook)
In 1990, Matt Roloff and Amy Roloff purchased a 16-acre farm in Hillsboro, Oregon, for $185,000, hoping to create a rural home for their growing family. Thirty-six years later, the property that became famous through TLC's Little People, Big World is embroiled in another family dispute.
Matt's son Jacob Roloff and his wife, Isabel, fear they may have to leave the sprawling agricultural property after Matt allegedly indicated plans to sell the land. The couple, who live and work on the farm with their five-year-old son, Matteo, say the prospect of losing their home and farming operation has left them devastated.
How became a family landmark
When Matt and Amy bought the property in 1990, it was far from the picturesque attraction it would eventually become.
The land had a rundown farmhouse and a rat-infested barn, but the couple saw an opportunity to build something special.Matt, who had worked as a computer programmer in California, spearheaded a major transformation of the property. He rebuilt the barn, created a mine shaft for children to explore, dug a pond featuring a full-sized pirate ship and acquired a vintage 1950s fire truck. The farm gradually became known for its unusual attractions and annual pumpkin season.
In 2011, Matt and Amy expanded their holdings by purchasing another 91-acre parcel for $950,000, according to property records.The family farm entered the national spotlight in 2006, when TLC premiered Little People, Big World. The reality series followed the Roloffs' family life and their work running the farm, making the property a recognisable part of American reality television. The show concluded in 2024, but the farm continues to shape the family's story.
A divorce changed the future of the family property
Jacob Roloff and wife Isabel may have to leave the farm where they live and work. (Photo: Facebook)
Roloff Farms was the setting for several important family occasions, including the weddings of Matt and Amy's sons Jeremy and Zach. Jeremy married Audrey on the property in 2014, while Zach and Tori exchanged vows there the following year in front of nearly 200 guests.However, Matt and Amy's divorce in 2015 marked a turning point. Amy eventually sold her shares in the property to Matt in separate transactions in 2019 and 2020, leaving him with full ownership.The question of who would eventually take over the farm became a source of tension. In 2022, Matt put the 16-acre section containing the approximately 5,000-square-foot farmhouse on the market for $4 million. He said he wanted to reduce his responsibilities as he got older.The proposed sale became a major storyline on Little People, Big World. Both Jeremy and Zach reportedly made offers for the property, but Matt rejected them.
The disagreements raised questions about whether the farm would remain within the family and how its legacy would continue.
Why Jacob and Isabel Roloff are worried about losing their home
Jacob and Isabel moved back to Roloff Farms in 2021, when they were expecting their first child. Under an arrangement with Matt, the couple rented a house on the property, Jacob earned a wage maintaining the farm, and Isabel cared for the animals.For a time, the arrangement appeared to be working. Isabel said the couple believed the part of the farm where they lived would not be sold.That understanding reportedly changed last month. In a TikTok video posted on September 15, Jacob suggested that he would likely no longer be living on the farm after January. In later posts, he appeared to indicate that Matt had told him he intended to sell the larger agricultural property.The prospect of leaving has been particularly difficult because the couple have built their home and farming activities there.
They grow flowers, pumpkins and vegetables and care for animals on the land.“We see land as such a precious thing,” Isabel said. “We’ve been so grateful to live here, so we just feel devastated.”She added, “We’re still hoping for a miracle.”According to Isabel, she and Jacob have been told that they may need to move in January or February, although no final arrangements have been confirmed.
Matt Roloff responds to the alleged sale plans
Matt Roloff says he is focused on his retirement plans while being fair to all his family members. (Photo: Facebook)
Matt has addressed the dispute by saying that his focus is on retirement and treating his family fairly.In a statement to PEOPLE, he said, “I’m focused on my retirement plans and being fair to all my family members that I love and adore including all my grandchildren.”The publication reported that while the 16-acre section containing the farmhouse has been listed for sale on and off for around five years, the possibility of selling the larger agricultural land was new to Jacob and Isabel.Matt's response comes amid renewed questions about the future of the property, which has been closely associated with the family for decades.
The disagreement has also revived concerns about how the farm's ownership will affect the next generation of Roloffs.
Isabel says there is 'so much hurt and tension' within the family
The latest dispute has emerged against a backdrop of complicated family relationships. Just three months earlier, Jacob had described his relationship with his family members as “normal” in an interview with PEOPLE. Isabel offered a different perspective on the tensions within the family.“I think that there’s just so much hurt and tension within the family,” she said.Reflecting on her position as someone who married into the Roloff family, she added, “As somebody who married into it, I’m very much like, ‘Can’t we all get along?’ But I can’t mend fences that I never broke.”Isabel also clarified that she and Jacob are not expecting Matt to give them the farm. Their wish, she said, is to continue living and working there if possible.“We just want to continue working and living here, if possible,” she told the publication.
Jacob Roloff's complicated history with 'Little People, Big World'
Jacob's relationship with the property is shaped by his experiences growing up in front of television cameras. He appeared on Little People, Big World as the youngest son of Matt and Amy when the series premiered in 2006.Over time, Jacob spoke publicly about difficult experiences during his childhood and his time on the show. He alleged that a producer had molested him and raised concerns about being fairly compensated for his participation.
These remain allegations made by Jacob.After turning 18 in 2016, he left the series, moved away from the farm and stepped back from the spotlight. He later married Isabel in a ceremony away from television cameras, choosing to share aspects of his personal life on his own terms.His return to Roloff Farms in 2021 marked a new chapter. Isabel previously told PEOPLE that living there with their son had helped Jacob see the property differently and move forward from painful memories.She said being on the farm as a parent had felt like “new beginnings”, allowing him to experience the place through the eyes of his child.
What lies ahead for Jacob and Isabel's farming operation?
With the possibility of moving drawing closer, Jacob and Isabel are considering how they might continue their farming activities elsewhere. Finding a new property would mean not only relocating their household but also figuring out how to transport their animals and maintain their work.Isabel said buying another farm was not financially viable for them, despite suggestions from followers. The couple have also declined calls to launch a fundraiser, explaining that there are other causes more deserving of donations.For now, they are focusing on the farm's annual pumpkin season and continuing to welcome visitors.“We’re still encouraging people to come out because we still love the aspect of people coming out and seeing the beautiful farm,” Isabel said.She added, “We’ve loved our time here growing flowers, growing pumpkins, growing vegetables — it would just be sad to say goodbye.”