(1) Participation loans are made to substandard income rural individuals to assist them in securing funds for operating expenses and real estate purchases. The agricultural finance program may participate in farm and ranch real estate and operating loans with the USDA farm service agency. Interest rates shall be established annually by the director of agriculture, but in no case shall it exceed the reasonable market rate.NEW, 1977 MAR p. 942, Eff. 11/26/77; AMD, 2004 MAR p. 1469, Eff. 7/2/04.80-2-106, MCA; IMP, 80-2-103, MCA;