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Marta Shore oversees record-breaking 594 crop art submissions at the Minnesota State Fair

The Minnesota State Fair has achieved a new milestone in its crop art competition, receiving a record 594 submissions from 497 artists this year. Marta Shore, the assistant superintendent for crop art and scarecrow, noted that the competition has seen significant growth in recent years, with the previous record of 451 entries being surpassed by 150 pieces. This year's exhibition features a wide array of themes, with a heavy emphasis on the resistance movement during Operation Metro Surge. Many artists used the medium to respond to the federal immigration-enforcement surge, featuring portraits of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and memorializing Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were allegedly killed by federal agents. Other notable works include tributes to the hit TV show "Heated Rivalry" and various pop culture references. The competition remains accessible to all, with the fair displaying nearly all submissions. Artists must use Minnesota-grown seeds and crops, such as wild rice and amaranth, though some seeds like quinoa will be banned in 2027 because they are not native to the state.

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