Who we are
Bennett Farm and Ranch is its all-encompassing, eco-destination model: it offers a rare fusion of dark sky tourism, sustainable off-grid experiences, and immersive cultural programming—all set in a preserved desert landscape. Located in Far West Texas, very close to the small town of Shafter in Presidio County. This spot is west of the city of Marfa, Texas, in the Big Bend region, renowned for its rugged desert landscapes, clear dark skies, and minimal light pollution.
What sets Bennett Farm and Ranch apart:
Immersive Dark Sky Sanctuary: Few properties in Texas combine dark sky-certified glamping, stargazing, and telescopic workshops with an emphasis on preserving the natural night environment. Guests can sleep beneath the stars, learn astrophotography, and experience “Star + Story” festivals with storytellers and astronomers, making it a destination for night sky seekers and astronomy enthusiasts.
Integrated Low-Impact Tourism & Conservation: Unlike traditional glamping sites or ranches, your approach links boondocking, regenerative farming, habitat restoration, and wildlife conservation with guests actively participating as volunteers and learners—qualifying for both eco-tourism and education grants.
Cultural and Wellness Oasis: The blending of artist residencies, sound installations, desert-inspired art, wellness retreats, and community programs creates a multifaceted, vibrant cultural hub—beyond what typical farms or eco-tourism destinations offer.
Agricultural and Scientific Diversity: From off-grid hydroponics and specialty desert crops to hands-on herbal medicine workshops and partnerships with educators, Bennett Farm and Ranch merges education, innovation, and sustainability in ways that appeal to a wide range of visitors.
Grant-Backed, Future-Ready Vision: The focus on renewable energy, native habitat conservation, and dark sky stewardship positions Bennett Farm and Ranch as a forward-thinking model for sustainable rural development.
The History of Shafter, Texas: A Silver Mining Town
Shafter is on Cibolo Creek and U.S. Highway 67, at the east end of the Chinati Mountains eighteen miles north of Presidio in southern Presidio County. Its history is closely tied to silver mining. There is evidence that the Spaniards prospected for valuable ores in the area during the early 1600s, but Shafter became a mining town only after September 1880, when John W. Spencer, a freighter turned prospector, found silver ore there. Spencer showed an ore sample to Col. William R. Shafter, commander of the First Infantry Regiment at Fort Davis, who had it assayed.
Workers in the Presidio Mine at Shafter came from several ethnic groups and geographical areas. Mexican citizens and black Americans found better-paying jobs there, and miners from California worked at Shafter until they left to prospect for Alaskan gold in 1897. Shafter miners lived in company houses, shopped at the company store, and received medical care from the company doctor. Just after 1900, Shafter had a population of 110 and two saloons, a dance hall, and a school.
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