Cumberland County is using an innovative conservation agreement with landowners to encourage compatible land use around Fort Bragg, the largest army installation in the world. The county developed a unique solution that offers all landowners with 5-acre tracts a compensation payment equivalent to a percentage of their property taxes, in exchange for 5- or 10-year conservation agreements to limit urbanand residential development. County Commissioners noted that since they provide economic development incentives to other businesses, it made sense to support farming operations that were compatible with the needs of the military installation.