Final answer:
The steel plow was the technological innovation that allowed homesteaders to turn the soil on the Great Plains, making farming more efficient and providing ample food for families and others.
Step-by-step explanation:
The technological innovation that allowed homesteaders to turn the soil on the Great Plains was the steel plow. Prior to the invention of the steel plow, early farmers used simple tools like pointed sticks, but the introduction of the steel plow made farming more efficient. The steel plow enabled homesteaders to break up the soil, making it easier to cultivate crops and feed themselves and others.