[winterh]

I had a cottage with a concrete block foundation and a dirt floor crawl space with clearance ranging from 2 to 3 ft from dirt to floor joists. It was damp and smelly and you could see the batt insulation in the joists was absorbing the dampness and beginning to drop. After much research I did whats called an encapsulation. Had a company come in and lay heavy plastic on the floor and up the walls. They then sprayed the walls and rim joists with closed cell foam. No venting at all, totally closed up. I left the batt in the floor joists but I think I could have removed it as well. Crawl space is now dry and no more smell or dampness. I do have an insulated door to enter and I run a small dehumidifier during summer months that drains to the outside. Overall I am very happy with the results. I also have my hvac, water heater.... in the crawl space. I had the block walls but I think you could apply concrete board inside your slat walls, spray foam to that and achieve the same effect.