The secretary of agriculture is hereby authorized and directed to coordinate a program with the Kansas bankers association and other such nonprofit organizations and associations in which persons who have an agricultural lending background and experience are encouraged to volunteer to assist the federal farmers home administration in the processing of farm loan applications and counseling borrowers on financial and technical matters related thereto. Within the limits of appropriations therefor and subject to the provisions of appropriations acts relating thereto, the secretary of agriculture may provide reimbursement of necessary mileage and may pay subsistence expenses to persons participating in such programs of providing voluntary assistance to the federal farmers home administration in the processing of farm loan applications. The amount of payment for mileage and subsistence expenses provided to any person under this section shall not exceed the amounts authorized to be paid for mileage and subsistence expenses under Kan. Stat. Ann. § 75-3223, and amendments thereto. The secretary may enter into contracts to carry out the purposes of this act. These contracts shall not be subject to the competitive bidding requirements of Kan. Stat. Ann. § 75-3739, and amendments thereto.