WALDORF, Md. — Each year, Shlagel Farms donates thousands of pounds of ground venison to families in Charles County who need it most. That work will continue in 2026, after the Charles County Board of Commissioners, at its Sept. 9 meeting, approved the farm’s permit renewal under Maryland’s Agricultural Deer Cooperator Permit program. The permit helps the farm offset major crop losses from deer while turning the harvest into food for the community.
The permit, issued in coordination with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), allows farm owner Russell Shlagel to conduct controlled sharpshooting during nighttime hours from Jan. 15 through April 15, 2026. Shooters must first pass both written and shooting tests and follow DNR’s strict safety rules. This is the seventh straight year the county has renewed Shlagel Farms under the program.
Community Impact
Shlagel told commissioners that he personally covers about $9,000 in processing costs each season to ensure the venison can be donated in one-pound ground packages to local community organizations. In the most recent season, about 7,000 pounds of venison were distributed across Charles County.
The donations go where they are needed most throughout the community. Venison is placed in community fridges, delivered weekly to Christ Church in La Plata and distributed to Title I schools and other local organizations. Shlagel Farms also works with the Maryland Food Bank to expand the reach of these contributions. Beyond venison, the farm assembles donation bags filled with vegetables, eggs and other essentials, tailoring each to the needs of the families and communities it is reaching.
Why It Matters
Shlagel faces annual crop losses of $50,000 to $80,000, making deer management essential to sustaining its operations. Recreational hunting reduces herds statewide, but not enough to fully prevent farm damage. Cooperator permits provide a targeted, regulated option to help farms protect their harvests. The program has operated for seven years without any incidents or complaints from Shlagel’s surrounding community.
Shlagel Farms’ History
Shlagel Farms, located in Southern Maryland, has weathered significant crop losses over the years — at one point losing a field of 10,000 cabbage plants worth an estimated $10,000 to deer damage in a single season. Despite such challenges, the third-generation Waldorf farm, founded in 1912 and now operated by Russell Shlagel and his family, has become a community staple. Known for its strawberries, fall festival and wide variety of seasonal produce, the farm also raises beef, pork and chicken that are processed locally and sold directly through its on-farm market, CSA program and farmers markets across the region.
Beyond its agricultural output, Shlagel Farms has built a reputation for both sustainability and service. Certified in nutrient management and USDA Harmonized GAP food safety, the farm employs no-till planting, drip irrigation and other conservation practices to protect soil and water resources. Just as importantly, the farm continues to give back by donating thousands of pounds of venison each year to food-insecure families in Charles County.
Learn more about Shlagel Farms at shlagelfarms.com.
Got a tip or photo? Text us at 888-871-NEWS (6397) or email news@thebaynet.com.
Join The BayNet Membership for exclusive perks and zero ads.
Don’t miss a story—sign up for our newsletter!
We’ve been dealing with these fine people for many years and hope their success continues. They probably didn’t have as large of deer problem in past generations between the thinner deer herds and the fact that deer don’t chew or smoke that much tobacco.