Hemp stripping machine

A plant stripping machine comprising:

• a casing defining an interior volume;
• a longitudinal slot defined in the top of the casing;
• a pair of shafts rotatably mounted within the interior volume of the casing, wherein each shaft includes a length, wherein the pair of shafts are parallel and spaced apart defining a gap between the shafts, and wherein the gap is aligned below the slot;
• one or more power sources operably configured to counter rotate the pair of shafts in relation to each other;
• a plurality of stripping members extending from and spaced along the length of each shaft, wherein the stripping members extend from the pair of shafts a radial distance sufficient to overlap within the gap;
• and
• wherein the pair of counter rotating shafts are operably arranged to engage and pull a plant with a stalk and leafy biomass which is fed through the slot to between the shafts, wherein the stripping members remove the leafy biomass from the stalk while leaving the stalk intact.

A method comprising:

• feeding a portion of a plant having a stalk and leafy biomass downward through a slot of a plant stripping machine, the machine having a pair of counter rotating shafts arranged within the machine, wherein the pair of counter rotating shafts define a gap between the shafts and aligned with the slot;
• inserting the plant into the gap;
• engaging the plant with a plurality of stripping members extending radially from and spaced along a length of each shaft, wherein the stripping members flail against the plant, stripping the leafy biomass from the stalk while leaving the stalk intact;
• and
• retracting the stalk upward through the slot of the plant stripping machine.