In one aspect, provided herein are whole spores engineered to capsulate a compound(s) or substance(s). In certain embodiments, the whole spore encapsulating the compound(s) or substance(s) is coated with or co-encapsulated with a hydrogel or other agent(s) to control the rate release of the compound(s) or substance(s) from the spore. In another aspect, provided herein are methods of producing whole spores encapsulating a compound(s) or substance(s). In another aspect, provided herein are formulations comprising either a whole spore, or a whole spore encapsulating a compound(s) or substance(s), and uses of those formulations.