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Minnesota State Fair crop art sprouts political creativity

From MAGA Kool-Aid Man to Antifa Waldo, Minnesota artists drew huge lines to see their “seedy” creations

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Statehouses
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August 28, 2026

Crop art at the Minnesota State Fair is a big deal. The displays of seeds arranged to paint a picture or convey a message are intensely popular with fair attendees. Many of this year’s displays are also intensely political — most inspired by the months Minnesotans endured a federal immigration enforcement. A record number of entries — 594 — were submitted, and all are on display at the horticulture building for the duration of the fair’s 12-day run. Lines to view the art spill out of the building. Here are some of the more political pieces of crop art.

Circular seed art displaying a loon and the text "LEAVE MINNESOTA ALOON."
Seed art of a sleeping boar with a caricature face below text reading "LARGEST BORE 215 pounds?"
Two seed art pieces: Smokey Bear with "ONLY YOU CAN RAKE THE FOREST" and a frog face with "DON'T OBEY."
Seed art of Paul Bunyan surrounded by protest signs and a "NO HATE / NO FEAR" banner, labeled "PROFILE IN COURAGE, 2026."
Seed art of a mother duck and three ducklings holding protest signs that spell "ABOLISH ICE."
Two seed art portraits: Colin Kaepernick kneeling nest to "RESPECT" and Jason Collins over "HONOR."
Seed art depicting the Kool-Aid Man covered in political terms under the heading "MAGA KOOL-AID."
Seed art recreating the Minnesota state flag, featuring a white North Star and a loon swimming on blue water.
Seed art of a crossed-out crown above text reading "NO KINGS" and "THE MIDTERMS ARE COMING."
Seed art depicting a caricature of Donald Trump as a crying baby wearing a diaper and a crown.
Seed art spelling "HISTORY HAS ITS EYES ON YOU" with red letters and a checkmark highlighting "VOTE."
Seed art depicting two women from Fargo with a speech bubble: "LIKE I SAY, HE WAS FUNNY LOOKING. MORE THAN MOST PEOPLE EVEN."
Oval mirror seed art featuring a loon shaped like the Star Wars Rebel emblem with "Rebel Loon" and "Protect each other."
Seed art of diverse feet and a walker beneath text reading "THE GREAT MINNESOTA STAND TOGETHER."
Seed art made from dried plants and flowers spelling out "Plantifa" inside a purple frame.
Seed art shaped like a tote bag decorated with anti-ICE pins and the text "PROTEST LIKE A MINNESOTAN."
Circular seed art featuring a soaring eagle and a rising sun beneath the text "HEALING DEMANDS TRUTH."
Seed art featuring a loon with its wings spread beneath the phrase "NOT READY TO MAKE NICE."
Seed art of four women holding a banner that reads "COURAGE" above a map of Minnesota.
Seed art spelling out "NO AI WAS USED IN THE MAKING OF THIS SEED ART."
Seed art of two hockey players face-to-face below the text "SEEDED RIVALRY."
Seed art acrostic spelling DETAINEE: "Don't Ever Traumatize An Immigrant. Noem Engendered Evil."
Seed art reading "Quality Learing Center 1-800-FRAUD" beneath a small treehouse illustration.
Seed art of the character Waldo in a red-and-white striped outfit with text "ANTIFA WALDO."
Circular seed art depicting a loon surrounded by stars with text "PROUD as a LOON."
Seed art made of black and white beans spelling out "FAUCI LIED."
Two seed art portraits: Ruth Bader Ginsburg raising her hand, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez with text "AOC 2028."
Oval seed art portrait of Renee Good.
Seed art of a snowy neighborhood street with an orange sign, titled "A Person Was Abducted Here by I.C.E."
Circular seed art of a whistle blowing, alongside the text "NE SE."
Seed art depicting three figures in red cloaks and white bonnets beneath the word "RESIST."
Seed art depicting a whistle above text reading "I can't keep doing this. I have to keep doing this."
Seed art featuring a heart surrounding "MN" next to the text "WE TAKE CARE OF US!"
Seed art recreating Norman Rockwell's "Freedom of Speech" painting under the headline "SAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH."
Seed art of the Statue of Liberty at sea with text "THE STATUE OF LIBERTY SAILING AWAY TO SEA - AMERICAN TUNE / PAUL SIMON."
Seed art of a toad wearing a suit jacket depicting the face of Tom Emmer with the text "TOM EMMER EATS WORMS."
Seed art depicting a diverse group of people under text reading "We the People are all immigrants."
Seed art of a wide-eyed frog face framed by the text "DON'T OBEY."

Photos by Michael McIntee

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Authors
Mike McIntee

Mike McIntee has an extensive journalism background in broadcast, online, and independent media, having run a national news operation — Hubbard Broadcasting’s All News Channel. He co-founded The UpTake, a citizen-driven news outlet, and produced the acclaimed documentary How Love Won: The Fight for Marriage Equality in Minnesota. A familiar voice to the AM950 family from his years as the drive-time host, Mike is now General Manager, where he is focused on growing the station’s reach and strengthening its mission as Minnesota’s go-to source for independent, progressive talk. He is proud to lead a team that gives a platform to the voices often left out of corporate media.

Antonio Correa

Antonio Correa is a Chicago native and Marine Corps veteran with a bachelor’s degree in communications and a minor in marketing from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He has worked across the Chicagoland media landscape, including as a producer, host, and promotions coordinator at WCPT.

As product manager at Heartland Signal, Antonio leads the development and day-to-day management of the organization’s digital platforms. His work focuses on improving how audiences experience Heartland Signal’s content. He also collaborates across teams to turn organizational needs and ideas into practical, effective digital solutions.

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