Report: Shirley Sherrod heading back to USDA

Shirley Sherrod is reportedly heading back to work for the Department of Agriculture, a year after she was forced out, having been wrongly accused of making racially insensitive remarks.

An edited video posted online by blogger Andrew Breitbart that was widely propagated by other conservative pundits implied that Sherrod pridefully told an NAACP audience that she's discriminated against a white farmer while running a government agriculture program.

Sherrod, who formerly served as Georgia Director of Rural Development for the USDA, was pressured to resign last July after the edited video appeared.

A full-length version of the video, which surfaced after Sherrod had resigned, revealed the story was part of a larger story about Sherrod's own experience overcoming racial prejudices. Sherrod not only went back and helped the white farmer, but formed a long-lasting friendship with him.

The White House later apologized to Sherrod for the handling of the incident, and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack asked her to return to the USDA - an offer she declined.

The website Politico now reports she'll be a contractor helping the USDA improve its civil rights record.

A report earlier this week said the department still has problems treating minorities fairly.

Shirley Sherrod Files Suit Against Andrew Breitbart
Video: Shirley Sherrod Speaks Out

Sherrod has since filed a $13 million defamation lawsuit against Breitbart and co-defendant Breitbart.tv Editor Larry O'Connor. The suit is pending in federal court in Washington.