Episode 47: The Ag Credit Experience

In this episode, we sit down with Allie Dick, Central Kentucky Ag Credit's 2026 Summer Intern, to reflect on her internship journey and the experiences that shaped her summer.

Allie shares insights from her capstone project focused on the customer experience, discusses what she learned while working alongside Ag Credit loan officers, and highlights the many opportunities she had to engage with local communities across Central Kentucky. From supporting marketing initiatives to creating content and helping tell the Ag Credit story through social media, Allie offers a firsthand look at the impact of an internship in agricultural lending and rural finance.

Tune in to hear how this summer experience helped Allie grow professionally, gain valuable industry knowledge, and develop skills that will benefit her future career.

🎙️ Whether you're interested in agriculture, finance, marketing, or internships, this episode offers a unique perspective on the opportunities available at Central Kentucky Ag Credit.

To learn more about Ag Credit Careers, visit: https://www.agcreditonline.com/about/careers

Transcript

Intro (00:01)
Welcome to Beyond Agriculture, the podcast that takes you beyond the scope of ag and into the real life stories, conversations, and events taking place in our community. Who we are and what we do is beyond agriculture.

Cassie Johnson (00:27)
Hello and welcome to Beyond Agriculture, the podcast where we share the stories, people, and ideas that support agriculture and rural communities. I'm your host, Cassie Johnson, and today we're featuring our summer intern, Allie Dick. Since joining Ag Credit in May, Allie has had the opportunity to experience several areas of our organization, from working alongside loan officers and learning about agricultural lending to participating in community events, supporting social media engagement, and helping develop content that connects with our customers and communities. One of the highlights of her internship has been a capstone project focused on evaluating the customer experience throughout the loan process. Through research, conversations, and observation, Allie has been identifying both the strengths of our customer service and opportunities for continuous improvement. Today we'll talk about what she learned from the project, her experience working with our team, and the insights she gained about agriculture lending and the importance of building strong customer relationships. Allie, welcome to Beyond Agriculture.How are you doing today?

Allie Dick (01:35)
I'm good. How are you?

Cassie Johnson (01:37)
Good. Let's start off with, um, just giving a little introduction about yourself and tell us a little bit about where you come from and what you've been doing.

Allie Dick (01:45)
So I've been a summer intern since May, and then I went to Morehead State University and got a bachelor's in agribusiness. I was interested in this internship because when I talked to the people at my career fair, they said that this is something that would be really good to get to know people in the ag community, and that was something that was important to me. I also did a lot of research into Ag Credit before I applied for the internship, and one thing that really stuck out to me was y'all's family values, and that was something that really hit home for me, and your young beginning and small farmers. My family is currently in the beginning and small farmer stage, So that really hit home and I wanted to be part of a company that supports what my family does.

Cassie Johnson (02:25)
Well, very cool. And over the past few months, you've had the opportunity to experience several different areas of the organization. So let's start off with the big one. Let's talk about your capstone project. What was the goal of the capstone project?

Allie Dick (02:41)
So the overall goal was to see where Ag Credit could improve their relationships throughout the loan process between their customers and their loan officers and clear up any confusion that they potentially have. In that loan process.

Cassie Johnson (02:53)
So why do you think it's important to understand the customer experience through the loan process?

Allie Dick (02:59)
Considering how face-to-face we are as a company, I feel like it is very important that we understand what our customers are getting from us. And if we don't have that understanding, then we can't be the best lender that we possibly can be. So through having the customer experience, we can better lend to our customers and better meet their needs.

Cassie Johnson (03:18)
Absolutely. That's definitely one of the things that sets us apart from other lending institutions is our ability to make sure our customers get the best attention possible. So how did you approach this project?

Allie Dick (03:31)
So I definitely wanted to approach it with more of an opportunity to get comfortable talking to strangers. That wasn't something I was super comfortable with when I came into this internship. And so I definitely saw that as like a goal of mine throughout the summer in cold calling all of our customers. I definitely feel like that was something I had to work on, but I just really went into it as they don't know me. So this is a way to build a persona that really shows confidence and represents Ag Credit well. So that was kind of my take on it, was see it as a growing opportunity in an area that I'm not comfortable in normally.

Cassie Johnson (04:03)
And we picked from the last 6 months anybody that had done, completed a loan. And how many cold calls did you make roughly?

Allie Dick (04:11)
I called 430 people and then I did roughly 100 and 15 surveys and I got about 140 or 150 answers altogether.

Cassie Johnson (04:21)
So in going through the customer journey, what stages of the loan process did you examine and look at with the customers?

Allie Dick (04:31)
I really focused on the application process because I feel like getting started is sometimes the hardest part for people. So I really focused on that and then from the application to closing is where I really focused. I didn't focus much on the servicing of the loans after. However, I talked a lot to customers about how that application process was for them. And then during that, what any frustrations or hiccups they potentially had to closing.

Cassie Johnson (04:59)
What were some of your key findings?

Allie Dick (05:01)
It's really easy to apply for our loans here. And then another thing that I got a lot of feedback from is that they feel like they have that handshake relationship with their loan officers, which was very important to our customers, and especially a lot of customers who have been doing this for generations., and I talked to some grandparents that still, that have grandkids like lending with us now or borrowing from us now. So that was really cool to see, but they all kind of said the same thing in that my grandpa recommended me when I was starting out. So that was something that I definitely saw and thought was super important is that we're leaving an impression that lasts generations and is sticking with the farmers throughout.

Cassie Johnson (05:41)
So what were some lessons that you learned from the capstone project?

Allie Dick (05:45)
I definitely learned how to talk to someone in a professional manner. Like, I've always been a talker, but talking to someone and keeping it professional was something I definitely had to learn. And how to just listen, like sit and listen to someone's story, because there are a few people who they definitely wanted to tell me about when they started with Ag Credit, which was like 30 years ago. So they wanted to tell me their entire story and being attentive and listening to them and making sure that a customer felt cared about. And like their story truly mattered because that was one of my favorite parts of it was when they would sit and tell me about their entire journey with us. So I feel like that's something I definitely like learned was how to sit and be a true listener and make sure even though they weren't face to face because there was a lot I noticed I was like, oh, if I keep my tone this way or I make sure to keep asking questions, things of that nature because they couldn't see me face to face.

Cassie Johnson (06:36)
It sounds like the capstone project was something that you enjoyed doing.

Allie Dick (06:41)
Yes.

Cassie Johnson (06:41)
And you were able to take your findings and report to the board.

Allie Dick (06:45)
Yes.

Cassie Johnson (06:46)
How was that for you?

Allie Dick (06:48)
It was nerve-wracking, but from what I've heard, it went really well. I think it went well after, like, the first little bit when I got my nerves out. I was extremely nervous. However, they, they definitely welcomed me and it was more of like a conversation instead of a presentation, which I liked. So I definitely would feel confident presenting or talking to them again because they're very down-to-earth people, which is not something like I immediately expected.

Cassie Johnson (07:12)
Right now we have some really great board members. You know, they're, they're customers. Not only do they have experience in what we do, but they also care for the rest of the community and want to make sure that we can do the best that we can as well. So let's move on. Let's talk about the— what other opportunities that you've had during your internship here. I know one of the things that you were able to do is that you were able to shadow some of our loan officers. How did that help you shadowing the loan officers learn more about what we do and about lending?

Allie Dick (07:48)
So before I even made the first call, I spent a few weeks and went to different branches and shadowed different loan officers. And it was very interesting to see how different loan officers interact with their customers because each of them have a different, like, base point and kind of how their customers and them interact. So it was interesting to see that it was all unique. There was no, no customer interaction was the same. Also, the loan officers definitely took me through every step of the loan process. So I got to see, this is what happens when an application comes in. This is how it looks when you're talking on the phone with a customer. So I got to see every single step of the way before I even called the first customer, which helped me really understand what the customer was saying because I'd seen that side of it also. They also took me on, which was part of my favorite parts, was they took me on the other things they do, like their little side quests, like going to the stockyards and going to construction sites. And they're very hands-on and I got to be part of that.

Allie Dick (08:42)
So I got to meet customers out in the field. I got to see how they interact with your community on an everyday basis and how it's not just, uh, they sit at their desk and they're talking to customers that way. They're going out to where the customers are and they're being part of that.

Cassie Johnson (08:56)
So what responsibilities surprise you the most that the loan officers do?

Allie Dick (09:01)
So when I came in, I definitely thought that loan officers were like sales reps. So they were out there and they were like, "Hey, we're this great company, borrow from us," and then you'd never hear from them again. And that is not at all what a loan officer here is. A loan officer is kind of like your lending best friend once you get here. You meet them, you make the loan with them, and then they stay with you. Everything after you close until like the very, very end, you're with the same person. Sometimes there's some shuffling around, but you're always with that person that you immediately contacted. So it's someone who truly knows like the ins and outs of your farms or what you've been through, what you've overcome, how you've grown. So like when you come to them with this dream of doing anything in ag, they definitely are there from the very first step and see you all the way through, which I think builds a different type of relationship with them that I loved getting to see.

Cassie Johnson (09:53)
So you mentioned relationship. What did you see in the relationship building with the loan officers and the customers? Like, what importance is it to the loan officer to understand their customers?

Allie Dick (10:06)
I feel like in understanding them, they know what they need more. When you sit and talk to the person and you saw how some people, they come in, they immediately know your name, and then they can ask their loan officers about their life, and then they ask them about the customer's life. And it's not like an awkward filling in the gaps type of conversation. It's very, oh, this person cares. And I think in doing that and having that relationship, you build a sense of trust that I had a few customers actually tell me, they said, I had a plan and my loan officer was like, this is not what's best for you or most feasible for you. And in that relationship that they've been building, the customer listened and they ended up rerouting and being much more successful because they had that relationship with their loan officer. Or one person told me on the phone that when they bought their farm, their loan officer was with them and how important that was to him because he was like, he was truly there every step of the way. And he was at an auction and he was like, bid.

Allie Dick (11:11)
And I was like, what? And he was like, bid, we've got this. Like just that support. And it was really cool to hear about that. But then the way that these loan officers are almost like arm in arm with their customers from every point and every step was honestly amazing to see.

Cassie Johnson (11:26)
Yeah, our loan officers, you know, we've talked about before, they are part-time farmers because when they leave the office, they're usually going home to feed cows or put up some hay. So they really do understand what is going on in the community and they really do put our customers as a priority. So did learning about, you know, ag finance, which you really had no previous experience about ag lending at all.

Allie Dick (11:54)
No.

Cassie Johnson (11:55)
So did it change your perception on what lending is about or about the industry in general?

Allie Dick (12:01)
I definitely had a lot of perceptions changed while I was here. So I definitely come from a family, my dad's like, no debt, you don't need any debt at all. And then I actually listened to part of one of these podcasts that was like good debt versus bad debt. And I was like, oh, that was very eye-opening. And then in talking to loan officers they were like, we're not going to make a loan that's going to like bankrupt you. Like, that is not our goal, is to get you to borrow as much money as you possibly can. So it definitely opened my eyes to see that like sometimes to be accessible, you have to have that extra boost and that extra help. And so that was something that I definitely found relieving, especially as someone who wants to like start a farm one day. That was something that really stuck with me is that like, just because I borrow money doesn't mean that it's bad. I can borrow money and it still be a good thing. And then especially with this Ag Credit, because they're not going to put you in a position that you can't be like, be in, like they're going to support you and not put you in a bad spot.

Allie Dick (12:59)
So that was one thing that definitely my perception changed of. And I feel like how it, Ag Credit really came together in multiple things that I had seen this summer. Like for instance, the ham breakfast, the way that the AgCommunity just came together so that they could financially support that scholarship. Like that was really cool to see. So I got to see like the ag community come together for multiple different events and do multiple things together, which was really cool to see like people who, they all might be selling the same thing, but when it comes down to it, they're still going to come together as a community.

Cassie Johnson (13:33)
Right. So speaking of events, you did attend quite a few events throughout your summer as well. You've been very, very busy. Tell us a little bit about those events and, and, um, what it was like to connect with some of the members out in the community.

Allie Dick (13:50)
So there was a lot of things that I did. One thing, I went to FFA State Convention, which was really cool to see, I guess, kids. I feel like I'm still their age even though I'm not their age at all. But I feel like seeing them and like the spark that they have for ag and seeing that like alive was really cool to see. And especially knowing that like we might be lending to their parents. Like we're setting up a relationship with them already because we're with them at FFA convention. So that was really cool to see.

Cassie Johnson (14:21)
The ham auction was something I had definitely never been to before, which that's the Harrison County Farm Bureau puts on the ham auction to help support their scholarship fund.

Allie Dick (14:32)
Yes. So that was cool to see. Like I previously mentioned how just everyone came together and really went after that. I went to a farmer appreciation lunch and that was cool because people were bringing in their kids and I know it's summer break. So like you had grandparents with their like little kids bringing them in and they looked like they'd been out working right alongside of them. So that was also really cool. And then getting to meet other, um, ag companies. I met someone who is really into pulling ammonia out of horse stalls. And that was just something that like I knew was an issue because like I've been around horses, but I'd never like thought of a solution necessarily. So it was cool to see that there was like someone's mind was working on that in a whole nother section of agriculture. So it was cool to see how like everyone is at the same thing supporting each other.

Cassie Johnson (15:20)
So what did you learn about Ag Credit's commitment to the communities it serves?

Allie Dick (15:27)
They're at everything. I've really noticed that their customers are never shocked to see them at an event. They're always like, "Oh, you're here." Like, it's never a, "Oh, I'm so surprised you're here." They expect them to show up because they've set that precedent already that they're going to be places. And I think that is really interesting that they always expect you all to be there and you will always show up for them. So I feel like that is one thing that definitely you all are at everything and you're at every step of everything. And I feel like that is something that I really enjoyed being part of.

Cassie Johnson (16:02)
So another aspect of the internship, you know, not only did you do the capstone project, but you also attended the, the events within the community. But another part was you helped us with some social media content.

Outro (16:15)
Yes.

Cassie Johnson (16:16)
We have currently visited a couple different locations. We've created some videos that we're putting up on YouTube and social media. You've assisted with that, but Can you tell me a little bit about, like, from your perspective, what that has been like for you?

Allie Dick (16:34)
I absolutely love photography. So that was something that definitely came second nature to me, but something that I'd never experienced was videography. I'd never had to film before. So that was something that was definitely fun. The gimbal, I think is what it is, where it doesn't shake, running around and using that and just getting to film things that I've grown to love was definitely something that I really appreciate having the opportunity to. Also, when we were doing the Kentucky State Fair youth interview, I thought it was so cool to see someone that young, so passionate, and like her work ethic was insane. And just the way that she cared for the animals that she had, that was also something that I loved capturing behind a camera and getting to video her and just hear her talk about what she cares about. So that was something that I also really loved. And then I also got to be put in like some cool situations while we were videoing. Richard, for instance, he let me bail hay with him. So I also got to be part of some of the things that we were videoing and photographing.

Allie Dick (17:34)
So that was something that I also really enjoyed.

Cassie Johnson (17:37)
Well, you did a really good job. Your photos are amazing. And it was a lot of fun. It was a lot of fun. While we were creating some of this content, we were trying to tell a story. Right. So the projects that we're working on and that we'll be publishing here, how do you feel that that communicates what agriculture is for Ag Credit?

Allie Dick (18:03)
None of the projects that we have been doing are necessarily like, we gave these people money, we did this, we're the only reason they're doing this. None of them are like that. They are more of like, this is a person that Ag Credit happens to get to be around and gets to support in the ag community. So I really appreciate that the story that we're telling is very customer-focused. Or the videos that we were taking in the field were of employees here. So it's showing them like doing what we support other farmers doing every single day. So it really gives a customer an inside look of what's important, which is they're customer-focused, the videos are, and that the people that you're talking to every day in the office or on the phone, or sometimes even that, your farm is also like, they're also out there doing that right alongside with you. So I think that's very interesting that the videos and the stories that we captured out in the field were our own employees.

Cassie Johnson (19:00)
Yeah, we should mention that what we've been trying to do this summer is be able to get additional footage to use just in, you know, social media reels and any type of advertising that we want, we might want to do. And so far we've been able to go to Down by Waco, we've gone to loan officer Ryan Reeves, who's out of the Richmond office. We watched him bale hay, or actually cut hay. And then Richard Medley said that he was going to be raking and baling with his brother, and so we were able to jump down there and do that as well. And we're getting ready to go to— we have a loan officer in Paris, Mr. Clay Furnish. We're going to be able to go up there and get some shots of some cattle as well. So It's been very cool. You know, like I said, our employees are also farmers, and to be able to go and see them working in their farm job outside of the office has been really fun to be able to be a part of that as well.

Allie Dick (20:00)
Also seeing the joy that they have in getting to capture that while they're farming. Richard smiled the biggest I've ever seen him smile while he was sitting there working on a tractor. Like, even though things weren't necessarily working perfectly at the time, like, he was still just like as happy as he could be, and he was just happy that people were out there with him seeing something that he was doing, but also something that he was proud of. And I think it's very interesting to see how proud of the farms that they have, that they are. And so I just feel like it really shows that you're in good hands when you're a farmer talking to them.

Cassie Johnson (20:34)
Now, we've also, you know, you've, you've worked with the loan officers, you've worked with the marketing department, you've worked on your own, you've spoken with board members. How, as an intern, have you felt your exposure to all the different aspects of Ag Credit? Like, do you feel like you've gotten a pretty good feel for it? Were there certain things that kind of surprised you in working with the different departments? Just tell us a little bit about that side of the experience.

Allie Dick (21:02)
I feel like as an intern, I definitely got to kind of maneuver my way around each part of it and see how everything really works together, because I do feel like some sections are like, well, what does that section even do? And then I'm sitting there like, oh, I was with them yesterday. This is what they do. Which I thought was really interesting to see is how it's all a big like puzzle that everything fits together. However, like all of the puzzle pieces don't necessarily know that they're connected to the next puzzle piece. So I think being an intern and getting to see all of that was very helpful in getting to see what Ag Credit is as a whole, especially with the loan officers. And getting to go between different branches because I noticed that some branches have a lot of farmers that are like in a specific section of farming. So it was cool to see like the different types and how like they kind of have to change in order to fit whatever farmer they're talking to. So I think that was also cool and getting to bounce around offices and just the difference in the communities that they are serving.

Cassie Johnson (22:04)
As you reflect, because you're, you are in your last week of your internship. What skills do you think you really have helped to develop over the summer?

Allie Dick (22:15)
I think overall this summer, if anything has grown, it has been my confidence in knowing like, oh, I'm doing this, it may be wrong, but someone will help me along the way. And asking for help has been a big thing because I have noticed that is here I can ask a question and that's seen as a good thing. It's like, oh good, you're trying to like learn and see. What you need to do. And that's something that definitely has helped to build that confidence, is being able to ask people questions and know that they're not going to get like shot down, shot down, or think differently of me because I am asking for help.

Cassie Johnson (22:48)
Right. What do you feel has been maybe one of the more valuable experiences you've had?

Allie Dick (22:54)
I think talking to customers and genuinely hearing their experience has been the most valuable part because Yes, I can learn a lot from your loan officers and from the marketing team and like different people, but hearing them talk about what you all do for them definitely was a whole different level of hearing about you all. Because for instance, one guy, he said, who are you for again? And I was like, Central Kentucky Ag Credit. And he was like, oh, I'll do anything for them. What do you need? And I was like, oh, perfect. And then I heard his tractor shut off because he was in the middle of working, but he was like, I'll do anything for them. And I was like, well, I appreciate it. So I definitely think that talking to them, which is not something where— that was something I was so nervous about. It's very interesting to me that that was the most rewarding thing of the summer.

Cassie Johnson (23:39)
Right. So based off of your experience through this internship, and if they're— just imagine there's somebody on the other side listening to this that is thinking about doing an internship with Ag Credit. What words of advice or what would you like to tell them?

Allie Dick (23:55)
I would tell them to definitely go for it, but definitely come into it with an open mind because I have not done the same thing twice. I really haven't. But also, you need to be willing to sit down and listen to someone talk about something for 30 minutes to an hour, and you need to be able to slow down. I'm a very fast-paced person, and I think needing to— I've had to learn to take a step back. So if you're wanting to be here, you need to take a step back and truly focus on a customer and not necessarily the business side of it. Like, the business side is very important, But especially here, you need to be willing to listen, but also converse and be willing to build a relationship. Even if you see yourself as like, oh, I'm just here for a summer, like you still are building relationships with people who could be around for the rest of your life. So that is something that I feel like I would definitely tell someone. And I'd also tell them to come in and be unapologetically yourself, um, no matter, if people think that's out there or anything of that nature, and to admit when you don't know something.

Allie Dick (24:57)
I have learned so much more this summer by being like, oh, well, I've never seen this before, and then someone immediately explains it to me. And it's not, oh, you should already know this. But in admitting that I do not know things, I have learned so much more because I wasn't trying to like tell you all that, oh, I'm the best person here, because when you look at it, I'm really not. So it's being able to learn those things and admitting that I don't know things has definitely been something that I would tell an intern to do.

Cassie Johnson (25:25)
So if you could pick a time or an event that was the most memorable from your experience so far, which one would it be?

Allie Dick (25:36)
Honestly, when I looked at Richard while I was photographing him working on his tractor, and I looked at him and I said, "So I know what baling is, but I've never actually like seen it or done it." And he was like, "I have a buddy seat, just get up here." And I was like, "Really?" And he was like, Yeah, he was like, you can do this for a few minutes. I was like, oh my goodness. So I climbed up there and I was so excited. And I remember I immediately called my family, was like, guess what I just did? And he explained everything to me, like how you know when to like drop the bale and like all of the stuff. And just the way he explained it to me and just the love he had for what he was doing was definitely one of the most memorable things. But I thought it was just so cool that it's intimidating when you're an intern to see someone who's like that high up in the company. And he just looked at me, he was like, well, get in here. Learn together. And I was like, this is great.

Allie Dick (26:25)
This is the best thing ever. So definitely that was the most memorable event of the summer.

Cassie Johnson (26:31)
How has this internship influenced your future career goals?

Allie Dick (26:35)
I had no idea what I wanted to do when I got here. I knew that I'd went into ag business, but at school they hadn't really talked about what all that could look like. They're like, oh, you'll find a job. And you're like, okay, but what does that mean? So I am lucky enough that I fell in love with this company and I am blessed enough that they are keeping me and I get to be a loan officer trainee. So I get to start my career here, which is very exciting and is an answer to so many prayers that I've had all summer. So I'm— it's definitely influenced my future career goals by wanting to build a career here in Central Kentucky and at Ag Credit. I've fallen in love with the area. I've fallen in love with the people, the company, what they stand for. That is definitely how it's influenced me, is I get to build my career here at the place that I started it.

Cassie Johnson (27:21)
Very cool. Well, Allie's experience demonstrates how internships can provide meaningful hands-on learning opportunities while also bringing a fresh perspective to organizations. From evaluating the customer experience to learning the role of loan officers, engaging with the communities and supporting marketing efforts, she's had a chance to see many sides of Ag Credit's mission in action. Allie, thank you for joining us today and for sharing your experience for the summer. And thank you to our listeners for tuning in to Beyond Agriculture. If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to subscribe, share this episode, and join us again as we continue to explore the people, partnerships, and innovations that make a difference in agriculture and rural communities. Until next time, thanks for listening to Beyond Agriculture.

Outro (28:12)
This episode of Beyond Agriculture is brought to you by Central Kentucky Ag Credit. Thanks for listening to the podcast. Be sure to visit Ag CreditOnline.com/BeyondAgriculture, access the show notes, and discover our fantastic bonus content. Also, don't forget to hit the subscribe button so you can join us next time for Beyond Agriculture.