At just 10 years old, Jackson Laux of South Whitley, Ind., already knows more about antique tractors than most adults. His TikTok clips rack up thousands of views, and last year John Deere named him the company’s first-ever Chief Tractor Kid.
“It’s always been the mower tractor … I’ve never done anything else with it,” Jackson says matter-of-factly in one of his viral videos.
A Walking Tractor Encyclopedia
Ask Jackson about the best tractor in U.S. history and he won’t hesitate to rattle off a list.
“I’ve got about three of them that I would go in between,” he says. “The John Deere 4430, the John Deere 4020, and the John Deere Model A. Those are all tied for first.”
Pressed to choose just one? He goes with the Model A.
“Probably the Model A. They made 320,000 of them, from 1934 to 1952. It was a very popular tractor. It was the row crop tractor. You could run a rear loader or a front loader on it, and you could do everything with it. The John Deere D and the Waterloo Boy were more just the plow tractor. So it was the more versatile tractor — the A.”
That encyclopedic knowledge is exactly what has made Jackson a hit with tractor enthusiasts young and old.
From Grandpa’s Tractor to His Own Acres
Jackson’s passion started with rides alongside his grandpa. Now, he’s farming his own ground.
“I’ll be harvesting my first two acres this fall, and I’ll be helping my uncles and my grandpa with their corn,” he says. “When I was riding with my grandpa, I never thought I’d be here, farming my own two acres. It’s been a very cool experience.”
Teaming Up With an NFL Quarterback
This fall, Jackson’s tractor obsession took him beyond the farm field. He teamed up with NFL quarterback Brock Purdy and John Deere to surprise farmers during harvest with field meals: hot food delivered right to the cab of the combine.
“I was shocked,” Jackson recalls of meeting Purdy. “I don’t show much emotion, but it was pretty cool because I figured at some point I was going to meet him.”
For the farmers, the surprise was unforgettable.
“When they saw Brock come around the corner, the farmers lit up. They were really excited,” Jackson says.
The two even had some fun in the kitchen while feeding farmers, calling in back-up for help. You can watch that below.
Finding Common Ground
Even though they come from different worlds, Jackson says he and Purdy share some important traits.
“He’s just a down-to-earth guy, just like me. We’re both laid-back people,” Jackson says. “That’s my middle name — competitive.”
A Kid Who Connects Generations
From antique tractor debates to sharing meals in the field with an NFL star, Jackson shows how passion and hard work can bring people together.
This harvest, the 10-year-old Chief Tractor Kid reminds us sometimes the best meals aren’t at the table, but right in the field.
Their Work Doesn’t Stop There
In the weeks ahead, John Deere isn’t just feeding farmers in the field, but the company is also donating over 250,000 meals to Feeding America. In 2024, the company donated $6.6 million to Feeding America.
“At the end of the day, this is about showing up for the ones who show up for all of us,” says Jen Hartmann, global director of corporate reputation and brand marketing at John Deere. “Donating to Feeding America and delivering home cooked meals in the middle of a long day are simple gestures, but it’s our way of recognizing the people whose hard work puts food on all of our tables.”
You can follow Purdy and Jackson’s journey, along with how John Deere is helping fuel farmers, on John Deere’s TikTok and Instagram accounts.
