For a nine-year-old, Jackson Laux proves age doesn’t matter when it comes to making a big splash on social media platforms. Jackson, also known as the familiar moniker Jackson Farmer, stole the show on TikTok. On an application famed for dance routines and beauty guides, he attracts a crowd of over 900,000 followers on his account.
Jackson is not your ordinary TikTok influencer. His channel, titled Just a Jackson Thing, comprises mostly of videos in which he delivers a virtual tour of his extensive range of agricultural machinery, parades his toy collection, and shares his thoughts on the wonders of rural living. He shot to stardom unexpectedly after making a brief appearance in a video by his cousin in November 2023.
His parents, Jessica and Joe Laux, confessed that Jackson’s sudden rise to fame took them by surprise. A conversation about his enthusiasm to continue producing videos resulted in his dedication to maintaining and regularly updating his channel. Jackson often sports his typical farm clothing – denim jeans, a farm shirt, and a red cap – in his videos.
What sets Jackson apart from the vast crowd of TikTokers is the air of wisdom he demonstrates in his videos. Despite his tender age, he speaks with an authoritative, almost grandfatherly tone, particularly when discussing his beloved agricultural machinery. This mature aura appears to have struck a chord with his audience, and his parents amusedly concede to allowing his newfound fame to unfold.
The young influencer’s online success has led to some unique experiences. These include featuring on Today, an opportunity to mingle with fans at the Indiana State Fair, and attention from agricultural organizations such as Stine Seed Company, which even arranged for him to visit their Iowa office on a private jet.
Yet, Jackson’s primary goal isn’t fame or profit. His aim is to share the reality of farm living and inspire a love for it in viewers. He loves reading the selection of comments left by followers expressing how the videos brighten their day, and he holds a steadfast commitment to produce content that his followers enjoy. His other objective, naturally, is to enjoy creating these videos, too.
Jackson has also had his share of celebrity moments, despite living in a small town. His most memorable encounter yet is being recognized by a fan while riding on the Skyride at the Indiana State Fair. There have been other instances too, such as at a Dollar General and even at a women’s clothing store. Yet, he humbly shrugs off these experiences, merely remarking that it isn’t an everyday occurrence.
When asked about the secret behind his popularity, Jackson errs on the side of modesty and admits uncertainty. He simply takes it in his stride, saying he’ll ‘just go with it.’ Considering his deep-rooted fondness for tractors, unsurprisingly his answer when asked when he realized his passion for them was that ‘they’ve been a part of my life from the very beginning.’
While he’s still learning about repairing farm equipment, he has lofty dreams of being a farmer. He’s been saving up for the proper machinery, which might even include a combine eventually, despite the hefty price tag. TikTok, he predicts, will be something he focuses on until he enters his teenage years. After that, he simply wants to be a full-fledged farmer and enjoy the peaceful country living he so deeply loves.
