GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. –  A business coalition pushing for conservation of the Colorado River has found a big way to get the president's attention when he visits western Colorado on Wednesday.

The group Protect the Flows says it got permission from a woman who grows alfalfa near the Grand Junction airport to let crop artist Stan Herd cut out a message on about one acre. The three-line message says, "MR PREZ WE RELY ON THE COLORADO RIVER."

The group hopes Barack Obama sees it when he flies into town. Molly Mugglestone of Protect the Flows says the Walton Family Foundation spent about $17,500 for the message.

Mugglestone wrote Obama a letter Monday saying the Colorado River is crucial for drinking water but also to support businesses including farms, wineries and rafting companies.