Why did many pioneers become homesteaders?

a the government gave them free land to farm
b they would not have to farm the land
c they wanted to build great cities and buildings
d there was a lot of wheat growing on the land

The corret option is A

In 1845, around 3000 people crossed the Oregon and California routes. In the next two years, more than 5,000 Mormon pioneers went to the territory of the Great Salt Lake. This community - unlike the great majority of emigrants - managed to strengthen itself economically through a centralized authority and a strong group sense. By 1862, the congress passed a law by which any citizen could acquire 160 acres of public land for $ 10 (Homestead Act). After the civil war, many people moved to the prairies (known then as "the great desert"). American ») to become farmers. These settlers were known as homesteaders.

i really really really really really really dont know