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On May 14th. 1948, Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion publicly pronounced the new nation of Israel. The country has had a history of tremendous success but also conflict, border disputes and war. We’ll talk with a roundtable of Israeli-born Granite Staters, hear their stories of their home country, get their comments on the sixty year journey of Israel and their thoughts on the state of the state of Israel today.

Guests

• Ruth Harris, music teacher living in Hollis who was born in Palestine and then lived in Richon Letzion after Israel’s independence; she moved to Amsterdam and then to the United States in 1973
• Moshe Shpindler, resident of Nashua and owner of Caesario’s Pizza in Manchester. He was also born in Richon Letzion in 1950 and lived there until he moved to the United States in 1983
• Amalia Flaisher, graphic designer living in Litchfield; Amalia was born in Romania but moved to Ashkelon and later to Netanya in Israel before moving to the US ten years ago

We'll also hear from

• Isaiah Artsy, computer consultant living in Nashua; he was born in Poland, emigrated to Israel in 1957 and then to the US in 1982, and has spent the last week with family in Israel for the anniversary celebrations

Today on Word of Mouth, we talk about rising food prices and ask, is it time for a new green revolution? And we hear about why we should save endangered foods by eating them. We also learn about the way our DNA is taking the stand in courtrooms. And finally, an advocate for survivors of brain injuries tells us why the "quiet crisis" needs to be solved.

(Photo by Dionne Allison)

Is it time for another green revolution? When the world faced the possibility of famine in the mid-20th century, scientists and farmers averted global disaster by finding new ways to grow staple crops. New techniques, new breeds, and lots of new chemicals were used to bolster dwindling food supplies. The new methods were successful, but also did environmental damage that continues today.

Now the world once again faces international food shortages. The price of rice has nearly tripled this year, causing riots in some countries, as people struggle to keep their families nourished.

With major advances in agricultural science over the past half-century, some believe we are ready for another green revolution – possibly a more sustainable one. Or, as one scientist put it, an "evergreen revolution."

Joining Word of Mouth host Virginia Prescott to talk about advances in agriculture is Subhash Minocha, professor of plant biology and genetics at the University of New Hampshire.

(Photo by Kristupa Saragih)

According to Gary Nabhan, if you love something: chop it down and eat it. Well, sort of. Gary's gathered a list of more than 1,000 native plants and animals that were once commonly found in American kitchens, but are now endangered, or on the brink of extinction.

The solution, he says? Eat 'em up!

Whether it’s Kentucky burgoo with squirrel, Hoppin’ John with clay field peas, or pawpaw custard, traditional American foods are part of the natural and cultural history of this nation, and many are quickly dying out.

Word of Mouth host Virginia Prescott speaks with Gary Paul Nabhan, director of the Center for Sustainable Environments at Northern Arizona University, and the author of "Renewing America's Food Traditions." It’s part cookbook, part history lesson, and part call to action to revive America's diverse food traditions.

She also speaks with Stephen Wood, owner of Poverty Lane Orchards and Farnum Hill Ciders in Lebanon, NH, about his own varieties of heirloom apples.