The present disclosure is broadly concerned with processing equipment and methods for processing of a biomass feedstock into one or more biomass particles of reduced size, and in particular, hemp. The vertical impact liberating equipment and methods can process whole hemp stalks into hemp particulates comprising distinct fractions of hemp hurds, bast fiber, and fines. Advantageously, in preferred embodiments, the biomass feedstock is pulled through a defined gap and into a defined chamber. This action causes a successive decrease and increase of pressure within the biomass feedstock, yielding the one or more biomass particles of reduced size.