NM Dirtbags banner

About us

We're a small home-based business in Albuquerque. We got started in 2009, offering bags & supplies to folks interested in earthbag & other alternative construction. In 2012, we expanded to offering filled sandbags to industrial & commercial clients for landscaping, flood & erosion control, engineering, and other purposes. Our clients include defense contractors, governmental & pueblo agencies, corporations, businesses large & small, and - of course - individual earthbag builders.

I (Daniel) am not an "expert" at earthbag construction by any means, but I've worked on several structures over the years, beginning with my own back in the '80s in Washington State. I can't say the word "expert" applies to earthbag construction. "Craft" might be a better word. Technically, a person can learn basically all they need to know in just a few weeks. It's the craft, though (like sculpture, or baking, or making beer, or planting a garden) that incorporates the sensibilities which make for a well-built and aesthetically pleasing structure. It's not rocket science, but doing it well does demand becoming intimate with your materials and exercising a combination of common sense and creativity.

Our name - NM Dirtbags - came about literally. We actually started by selling bags of dirt which was sourced from putting a cistern & French drains in our urban backyard. Nowadays, we use sand from recycled concrete for our filled sandbags, and can handle special fill orders (gravel, scoria, clay-rich soil, you name it). As the only sandbag company in New Mexico, we're uniquely positioned to fill existing needs and to meet growing opportunities.

Our business model is based on the following principles and practices:

  • Fairness. We're not interested in getting rich; we're more interested in just getting by
    (and in maybe having fun doing so). Whenever we can find cheaper ways to do things, we'll lower our prices correspondingly. With this in mind, we promise to keep our prices reasonable, our quality and customer service high. In turn, we expect our customers to be fair, respectful  and reasonable in return.

  • Responsibility. We're community-oriented. This includes support of organizations we believe in (as we're able; we're not making a living at this), and setting up partnerships to provide jobs and opportunities for New Mexico youth, veterans, and folks who've hit hard times (too many, these days).

    We go out of our way to provide work, when we have it, to people who are disadvantaged or facing barriers to employment. Priority goes to minorities, women, veterans, ex-felons, and single parents. We're proud to say that we  pay our people a minimum of $12 an hour. This  makes our prices higher, true, but it's the right thing to do & helps sum up our business ethic.

  • Advocacy. Earthbag construction is a wonderfully creative, innovative, and viable alternative for low-cost housing that utilizes one of New Mexico's most abundant resources. To this end, we hope to be able to serve as advocates to spread the word and promote broad acceptance by city, county, and state building codes.

We invite you to share your questions, your experiences, your triumphs, your photos, and your feedback (good or bad, but please be nice & constructive). We really count on you to see what direction this all takes.

Juli & Daniel

Legal stuff

We specifically disclaim any warranty, either expressed or implied, concerning the information on these pages. No one associated with this site or with NM Dirtbags will have liability for any loss, damage, or injury, resulting from the use of any information, recommendations, or claims found on this or any other page at this site.


All sales are final. Any defective bags, tools, materials, etc. may be replaced by us at our discretion. We strive to be fair & honorable & expect you to be, too. All prices subject to change. We want you to be satisfied and appreciate any feedback on how we can do it better.


Finally, any & all information, advice, suggestions, recommendations and sales are offered in "good faith". New Mexico Dirtbags, its principals and its employees, will in no way be held liable for any loss, damage, or injury arising from the use of any of the products sold or provided. Purchasers and users of products, information, and advice made available by New Mexico Dirtbags are notified that they are responsible for conducting their own research, for taking all reasonable precautions, and for assuming full responsibility. Because it all just makes sense.


`When I use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone,
`it means just what I choose it to mean -- neither more nor less.'
- Alice in Wonderland, chapter VI
New Mexico Dirtbags           Albuquerque,  NM   87106           (505) 750-3478  (DIRT)        all content copyright � 2012-2023