Code to add in Genesis child theme, eleven40 Pro to add a Home Featured widget area above posts on homepage. Based on http://www.briangardner.com/home-widget-area-eleven40/

functions.php

<?php
//* Do NOT include the opening php tag

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_loop', 'eleven40_home_featured' );
function eleven40_home_featured() {
  if ( is_home() && !get_query_var( 'paged' ) >= 2 ) {
		genesis_widget_area( 'home-featured', array(
    	'before' => '<div class="home-featured widget-area">',
    	'after' => '</div>'
    	) );
	}
}

style.css

.home-featured {
  padding-top: 0;
	padding-bottom: 4rem;
}