Children in the FieldsYoung people working long hours in agribusiness
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U.S. Child Labor Laws Explained
The Toll on Child Laborers ExplainedFollow Us
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The NBC Bay Area Investigative Unit is dedicated to uncovering the truth, holding the powerful accountable and making the Bay Area a better place to live.
Child Labor: Young Hands Picking Our Food
Some children as young as 8 years old, reportedly, are working long hours in sweltering heat -- here in California. Read More
Children in the Fields: North Carolina Tobacco Farms
Advocates who study migrant farm worker families estimate that as many as a half million of children currently work in the fields of America picking our food. Read More
New Calls for Change in Child Labor Laws
There are now calls for change in United States labor policy following an NBC Bay Area investigation that uncovered children working in the fields of America. Read More
Voices of the Children in the Fields
Hear from the children themselves. NBC Bay Area talks to two dozen young teens who either currently work in the fields or used to work the fields of California about what it s like to pick the fresh food that you eat every day.
U.S. Child Labor Laws Explained
Child labor laws in the United States are pretty tight -- except around agriculture. A six-year-old could be hired, for unlimited hours, to pick blueberries on a family farm. Other aspects of the law are explained in this video.
The Toll on Child Laborers Explained
A 12-year-old could work after school under the dual legalities surrounding child labor under the 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act. The toll this takes on their school work and family can be taxing.
Photo Gallery: Children in the Fields
Still images from the production, interviewing and recording of the footage used in our "Children in the Fields" investigative series.
Children in the Fields
NBC Bay Area's Stephen Stock talks with teenagers who have been working in the fields, sometimes, since they were 8 years old, they say. The series examines how business and the law converge at the issue of child labor in farming.
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Children of the Field: A Young Woman's Story in Her Words
This young woman discusses her circumstances and situation as an underage worker who helps get food to America's plate. She mentions some child laborers are as young as eight.
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Farm Owner Also Started Young
Pete Aiello is a farm owner and grower who started working in the fields when he was 7-years-old -- but his dad owned the farm.
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Children of the Field: What Do You Want for Your Sons?
Fernando emphasizes the importance of his son’s education. If he doesn’t prioritize schools, the boy will end up like him. He wants his son to be someone that will get ahead and not be a work horse like him.
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Children in the Fields: A Young Worker's Mom Shares Hopes for Sons
Ralph’s mom says that when they first started, it was very difficult. Her husband’s salary just wasn’t enough. She wants more for her children than their current lifestyle has to offer. For now, Ralph will learn...
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Children of the Field: Began Picking Crops at Age 11
The hardest crop this young man has had to pick are tomatoes. He was 11 years old when he first started picking crops in the field.
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