Friend of mine that worked in the fields as a kid mentioned picking strawberries was terrible back breaking work. Because strawberries are close to the ground you have to bend over to do it.
... which makes it a bit easier for kids. It was common in areas like East San Jose for kids to work strawberry farms below age 16, when more conventional W-4 jobs become an option.
There was a huge strawberry field behind Piedmont Middle School, for example.
But the important point is, such jobs in agriculture (and elsewhere) that frequently cause repetitive-strain injuries need to be automated.
