genesis_register_sidebar( array(
    'id' => 'home-featured',
    'name' => __( 'Home Featured', 'eleven40' ),
    'description' => __( 'This is the home featured section.', 'eleven40' ),
) );

/** Add the home featured section */
add_action( 'genesis_before_content', 'eleven40_home_featured' );
function eleven40_home_featured() {

    if ( ! is_home() || ! is_front_page() )
        return;

    if (is_active_sidebar( 'home-featured' )) {
        genesis_widget_area( 'home-featured', array(
            'before' => '<div class="home-featured widget-area">',
            'after' => '</div>'
            ) );
    }
    else {
        genesis_seo_site_description();
    }

}