The village Progress Association’s Rent-a-Farmhouse plan has seen more than 100 eligible families apply for one of four run-down farmhouses at a price of $1 per week rent.

The scheme was designed to boost numbers at Cumnock Public School and save the school bus run.

It has been such a success the association is now looking for farmhouses across the region.

“Out of 128 applicants about 80 of them are ready and willing to go,” progress association member Christine Weston said.

“We’ve had so much interest from farmers now that we’re looking to match people to other farmhouses.”

The idea was to reinvigorate Cumnock by bringing in new families with school aged children.

The skills of the parents would bring new businesses to town and the school would receive a boost through increased numbers, and farmers would their unused farmhouses renovated on the cheap.

There seems to be no shortage of houses for the tree changers.

“I’ve had calls from a Cowra farmer and people around Orange and Manildra,” Mrs Weston said.

“There’s been interest from around Blayney, Barry and Neville.”

Mrs Weston said she recently attended a function in Orange and was amazed at the number of people interested in the scheme.

With three of the original four farmhouses already accepted and one awaiting final confirmation from the new resident, Mrs Weston says the Progress Association is already working on moving several other applicants into houses.

Farmers who would like to become involved in the scheme can contact Mrs Weston at rentafarmhouse@yahoo.com.