| Welcome to Bufford Ranch
Spanning over 900 acres of privately owned land in Kern County, California, Bufford Ranch is a working cattle operation and living field-study site where history, ecology, and conservation converge.
Located approximately 50 miles east of Bakersfield and 23 miles south of Lake Isabella, the ranch rests on the north side of Walker Basin. It is approximately 125 miles north of Downtown Los Angeles—about a 2 to 2.5 hour drive—and situated roughly 70 miles outside of the Los Angeles Studio Zone, making it scenic, production-friendly, and accessible via State Route 58 and Caliente–Bodfish Road.
Set within the historic Walker Basin, a valley framed by Breckenridge Mountain to the west and Piute Mountain to the east, Bufford Ranch features a diverse landscape of open grasslands, rolling hills, and rugged backcountry accented by oak, pine, and cottonwood groves. The property is further distinguished by striking Rocky Mountain–style rock formations and dramatic natural outcroppings that add depth, texture, and cinematic scale to the terrain.
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Distinct natural and cultural features across the ranch include historic gold mines, Native American pictographs, archaeological sites, and a year-round creek. Beyond its cultural and ecological significance, Bufford Ranch is fully equipped for active ranching and educational engagement.
Facilities include two double-wide residences, a red cabin, multiple utility sheds, a stocked pond, and heavy ranch equipment such as a backhoe and bulldozers. The ranch supports horses and cattle, preserving its heritage as a working livestock operation while serving as a resource for students, researchers, conservationists, and filmmakers. Through its permanent conservation easement with the California Rangeland Trust, Bufford Ranch protects open space, wildlife habitat, cultural history, and vital water resources.
As both a working ranch and field-study hub, it offers immersive opportunities in archaeology, rangeland science, ecology, and cultural history—making Bufford Ranch a truly exceptional setting where the past, present, and future of California’s landscapes converge.
| Ernest Bufford
Owner and Operator of Buffords Ranch
Ernest Bufford is California’s largest Black-owned cattle rancher and a visionary land steward whose work bridges conservation, culture, and community. A former California Highway Patrol officer and U.S. Marshal, Ernest founded Bufford Ranch in 2001 with a mission to protect agricultural land from unchecked development and ensure it remains productive, ecologically healthy, and historically respected.
Over the past two decades, he has preserved over 930 acres of working rangeland across six distinct ecosystems, including grasslands, oak woodlands, and riparian zones. In partnership with the California Rangeland Trust, he established long-term conservation easements that protect vital wildlife corridors, watersheds, and rare species such as the Bakersfield Cactus and Kern Primrose Sphinx Moth. His land serves as critical habitat for deer, mountain lions, bears, bobcats, and a variety of migratory birds.
Ernest is also deeply committed to cultural preservation. Collaborating with Cal State Bakersfield and local tribal groups, he has uncovered and protected Native American artifacts and historical items dating back over 3,200 years, honoring the deep human history embedded in the land.He leads with humility, conviction, and a powerful sense of legacy—encouraging neighboring ranchers to engage in conservation and helping shape a future rooted in sustainability, justice, and connection to the land.
| Stefenie Nicolet
Owner of Golden Ranch Estates Manager and Wrangler of Buffords Ranch
Stefenie’s journey began in STEM, earning her degree in Aviation Science from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore before contributing as a coder on the James Webb Space Telescope—an experience that reflects her deep curiosity and respect for both the technological and natural worlds. During her studies, she utilized drones and ARC GIS systems to analyze soil nitrogen levels by calculating ratio points—blending cutting-edge technology with sustainable farming practices, and proving that innovation and land stewardship go hand in hand.
Today, as co-operator and manager of Bufford Ranch, Stefenie carries forward Ernest Bufford’s legacy by merging traditional ranching values with a forward-thinking, inclusive vision. Her leadership ensures that the land remains both productive and ecologically healthy. At the same time, her passion for education opens doors for underserved communities. By transforming the ranch into a hands-on learning environment, she empowers the next generation to see themselves as stewards of the land—equipped with skills, representation, and purpose. Her work not only preserves the integrity of the ranch but also helps shape a more just, informed, and sustainable future.
Drawing on her STEM and aviation background—industries where precision and safety are non-negotiable—Stefenie transformed Bufford Ranch into a benchmark for operational excellence. She led the implementation of comprehensive safety systems that protect people, livestock, equipment, and the environment.
Through rigorous risk assessments and structured protocols, she introduced aviation-style checklists, emergency response plans, and continuous staff training that embedded a culture of safety at every level. Her data-driven approach improved livestock health, reduced equipment failures, and enhanced environmental sustainability. Under Stefenie’s leadership, Bufford Ranch is not only more productive—it's a model of safety, accountability, and forward-thinking land stewardship.