As FPAC Deputy Under Secretary, Appleton leads agencies that deliver farm programs and services to farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers.Prior to serving as FPAC Deputy Under Secretary, Appleton was Vice President of Public Policy for the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). In this role Appleton led NCGA’s Washington, D.C. office, overseeing outreach and advocacy for policy affecting corn farmers across the country, including but not limited to; trade, risk management, production, sustainability and renewable fuels. Appleton was previously NCGA’s Director of Public Policy and Political strategy for three years.

Prior to rejoining NCGA, Appleton was the Chief of Staff to Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Steve Censky. In this role she led the day-to-day operations of the Deputy Secretary’s office and advised him on several key policy issues. Appleton also assisted the Deputy Secretary with his internal operational duties. Before working at NCGA, Appleton was the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) director of government affairs for risk management. At NAWG Appleton advocated for NAWG policy regarding federal crop insurance and federal farm programs.

Before working at NAWG, Appleton worked as professional staff on the House Small Business Committee under the panel’s chairman, Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), focusing on agriculture and environmental issues. She previously worked in Graves’ personal office, including as a legislative assistant handling issues such as immigration, trade, and the environment in addition to Rep. Graves’ assignment on the House Agriculture Committee. Appleton holds a Bachelor’s degree in agribusiness management with minors in international agriculture and political science from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She was raised on her family’s row crop and cattle farm near Stanberry in northwest Missouri. Appleton is still heavily involved in the family’s farm and plans to continue the legacy that her great grandfather started.