Pub. L. 88-452, tit. III, pt. V, sec. 302

Sec. 302. (a) The Director is authorized to make— (1) loans having a maximum maturity of 15 years and in amounts not exceeding $2,500 in the aggregate to any low income rural family where, in the judgment of the Director, such loans have a reasonable possibility of effecting a permanent increase in the income of such families by assisting or permitting them to— (A) acquire or improve real estate or reduce encumbrances or erect improvements thereon, (B) operate or improve the operation of farms not larger than family sized, including but not limited to the purchase of feed, seed, fertilizer, livestock, poultry, and equipment, or (C) participate in cooperative associations; and/or to finance nonagricultural enterprises which will enable such families to supplement their income. (b) Loans under this section shall be made only if the family is not qualified to obtain such funds by loan under other Federal programs.